I still haven't gotten a new laptop but my father has taken pity on me. He's letting me use his computer until I have enough money to buy my own. I think that he was getting tired of seeing me mope about the house. lol. Well, I'm not complaining. I'm glad to be back writing now.

This chapter was written out in a hurry. I just wanted to get it posted up before the night was out. My views in the last month have really gone down. I attribute that to my not posting though and I want to see a significant increase again.

Well, here's another chapter. Please leave me feedback?

Also, I'm thinking about starting a new HP fanfic but I don't know which relationship I should focus on. Any ideas?

As always, I don't own Harry Potter.

"Step away from her." Harry's voice was full of venom and Hermione was certain that she hadn't seen that much hatred in his eyes in a very long time. Ron continued to stand in shock, seemingly unable to move or speak.

Severus' body tensed as the boy held him at wand point. Instinct told him to draw his wand as well, but his brain told him that it would be a foolish move. Considering the mad look in Potter's eyes, such a movement might trigger him to attack. Instead, he tried his hardest not to sneer and stare him down.

"Harry… It's alright." Her voice came out much smaller than she had meant it to. She focused on his wand tip and noticed that it was shaking slightly. Was he nervous about being close to hexing a teacher? Or was he that angry? The second option made little sense, though. It was common knowledge that he best friend and lover didn't get along but she wouldn't expect Harry to attack a professor.

"I-I can't believe he trusted you. Dumbledore thought you were completely reformed!" Ron unstuck his throat and thrust forward words that didn't make any sense either. It seemed like Ron was insinuating that Severus was still part of the Voldemort's team.

She broke away from Severus then and stepped between her friends and Severus, making it clear that she didn't want any spells being thrown. "Harry, put your wand down and let me explain."

However, to her shock, Ron was suddenly pointing his wand at Hermione, right at her chest. Her eyes grew wide as she stared at him, amazed at the behavior. "Ron! What are you doing?"

Harry answered for him as Ron fought the guilt that he felt. "Give it up, Bellatrix, and tell us where have you put our friend?"

Severus made a strangled sound in his throat and red sparks came out of the end of Harry's wand. "Have you gone mad, Potter?" Hermione could have laughed if she weren't afraid of the look on her best friend's face.

"No. I'm sane. But you must have gone mad. Dumbledore trusted you and you brought her into the castle? Guess you never left your real master, eh, Snape?"

"Harry, you're being ridiculous! I'm not Lestrange! Have you lost your mind?"

"He left the school to find her, I know it. Sirius told me that she would be working on a way to get into the castle. Why not find Voldemort's old supporter to bring her to Dumbledore?"

She looked at Ron now, thinking that Harry's anger was seriously affecting her judgment. He didn't give her a chance to think. "Hermione wouldn't be snogging a Slytherin, especially not the biggest snake of the school."

His words burned a little bit but she swallowed the bile that came up her throat.

"Go ahead and hex her then, Weasley, if you're so sure." Severus' voice was smooth and silky. "And Potter, you'll have a free shot at me."

Neither of the boys moved though and the clever Seventh Year called for the obvious tactic. "Harry, I got you a broomstick care kit for your thirteenth birthday. And Ron got you the pocket Sneakoscope."

Harry's eyes narrowed but he held his wand strong. "Anyone could know that."

"Ron, the first time you met Crookshanks, he jumped on your head and nearly scalped you."

"That was a public place! Loads of people were in there!"

"This is nonsense." Snape spoke up behind her. "You really think I'd allow such filth into the castle. You're delusional. I do know however that once I bring this incident to the Headmaster, both of you will be risking expulsion for threatening a teacher."

"Shut up!" Harry shouted. "I've been looking for proof that you weren't on our side! Now I've got it!"

"Now really…" Albus Dumbledore came around the corner behind Ron and Harry. With a gentle crack, both of their wands snapped to his wrinkled hand. "What's the meaning of this?"

The two boys broke into an explanation right away, accusing Snape of double-teaming the Order and bringing Bellatrix into the castle, masquerading as Hermione.

"And you've arrived at this conclusion how?" The twinkle in his eyes betrayed the smile that he fought to hide.

"They were snogging in the hallway! Hermione! Sirius told me about how-"

"Harry! Ron! It's me! I was kissing him because… well… because I was! But that doesn't make me evil!"

Harry rounded on her, disgust in his voice. "You'd kiss that dungeon bat? You can't be Hermione. She's much smarter than that."

"Apparently not." Severus spoke up words that sounded like an insult to her. She pushed the stinging away.

"I didn't say anything while you were hopelessly in love with Cho, Harry. Now do us all a favor and stop chastising me for who I date! It's none of your business! How dare you accuse me of being that bitch that tried to kill Sirius! How dare you! After all we've been through together, you can't look me in the eyes and realize that it's me?"

It was only then that Harry relaxed his shoulders slightly and Dumbledore stepped forward. "Harry, my dear boy, you're mistaken. Severus has been loyal to us for many years. Your opinions are being skewed by your godfather's view. He means well but I assure you that Professor Snape is clean."

"But professor!" Both boys protested at once.

"No." His face grew stern now. "I won't put my nose in places it doesn't belong but I want no more talk of this nonsense. The three of you are the best of friends and I suspect that you have much to talk about. Severus?" He called for the Potions Master's attention as he handed back their wands.

"Yes, Headmaster?"

"I came to find you because there is a dungeon full of students that are missing their professor. Come with me, please. I wish to speak with you on the way there."

He seemed torn for a minute but he followed the Headmaster after briefly grasping Hermione's hand.

Once the two were out of sight, Ron was the first to speak. "Sorry, Hermione. I don't know what came over me."

She didn't have a chance to respond before Harry snarled, "Snape? Of all the men you could have shagged, it was him?"

It was a moment before the last fifteen minutes caught up to her. Suddenly, her face grew beat red and she felt her heart pounding in her chest. She drew herself up, ready to let him have a piece of her mind.