If change is what you're looking for...

AN: This chapter has a curve ball or two in it. Please don't throw things at me! I promise it will be an interesting twist. Thanks for reading! Please Review!

Chapter 9

The Weasley's living room was full as everyone sat listening to Author explain the newest developments at the Ministry. Hermione was sitting between Ron and Ginny on a conjured loveseat in the over stuffed room. Still not speaking to Harry, who was across the room with Fred and George, Hermione was determined to not look at him or at least to not let it seem intentional. He was still going on about Draco and how stupid she was, which everyone told him not to do. Harry could not however be expected to listen, so Hermione didn't expect to talk to him for a while.

"So basically what your saying Mr. Weasley is that the Ministry is making all the half bloods and muggle borns declare their status before the war actually happens so that Voldemort knows who to target specifically. That's just great and they don't even realize that they have been infiltrated...Basically we are screwed and no one is the wiser." Harry said as Author finished telling them about the new bill passed by the Wizengament. Everyone looked at Harry as he looked them all in the eye, daring anyone to standup for the bill.

"Well that's one way too look at it I suppose, but what Kingsly and I were thinking was its an effort to make the order reveal ourselves. They have been pushing Snape to find out anything he can about the situation of our where abouts and members. He keeps them at bay and on wild goose chases. So they are doing everything they can think of to make us show our selves. We have some things in the works that will give us a better advantage. Don't do anything drastic or anything without talking to the Order first. We fear things are going to get bad, quickly." Mr. Weasley stated and Harry looked around and sighed. The twins patted him on the shoulders reassuringly.

"Mr. Weasley what am I supposed to do?" Hermione asked quietly and all eyes turned to her, she looked uncertain and shaken. Ron put his arm around her and pulled her close.

"We aren't sure right now, we need Dumbledore's opinion. We don't know what they plan to do with the information at this point, so we aren't sure if it will be a good idea for you to attend school this year, but we are going to do everything we can to make sure you and all the rest of us are safe." Mr. Weasley said and sighed as Ron muttered reassurances in Hermione's ear. Ginny looked ready to cry, and Harry sat back with a stoney look on his face knowing Hermione wouldn't appreciate his comfort right then.

"ALBUS DUMBLEDORE AND SEVERUS SNAPE ENTERING!" Dumbledore's voice boomed out of the fire place as green flames flared up. Everyone drew their wands and waited to see the pair come out of the fireplace.

Dumbledore stepped out on to the rug and stepped to the side for Snape to come through. Snape stepped into the room and looked around at the gathering.

"What is your password?" Mr. Weasley asked the pair with his wand aimed directly into their faces.

"Bowtruckles feed on Fairy Dust in the Forest of Twilight Skies." Dumbledore said and Author redirected his wand at Snape.

"Gillyweed is specifically poisonous to veela because they can not physically withstand the chemicals that cause the transformation." Snape looked a little impatient and amused all at once. Hermione noticed that Snape was wearing cologne and his hair was pulled back and not greasy and his robes were new. Mr. Weasley lowered his wand and everyone except Hermione and the Twins followed suit.

"Is there a reason you three have not lowered your wands?" Dumbledore asked as he looked from the Twins to Hermione.

"We do not.." Fred started.

"Believe that Snape is who he claims to be." George finished and Dumbledore looked surprised. Snape sneered and looked them up and down.

"Ms. Granger?" Dumbledore asked as she stood up.

"Professor Snape, would you care to explain? I'm sure you know why we are concerned." Hermione walked closer and smiled tightly. Dumbledore looked Snape over himself and didn't notice any significant difference. Harry sat looking back and forth between the Twins and Hermione and Snape.

"You mean to tell me that it's a crime to clean up and get new robes now!?" Snape almost yelled as she looked him over. She had to admit the man was good looking when he took time to clean up.

Fred and George looked at each other and then laughed. Hermione looked at them sternly and then looked back into Snape's face, not directly into his eyes but close enough that she could see what expressions they were holding. Right then they were angry, but there was something else. Almost a satisfaction at their noticing such small changes in his normal appearance.

"No, but it's out of character and the small things are often over looked by imposters. So answer me a question now. What potion do you brew on the eighteenth of every month that takes you a week to brew?" Hermione asked and Fred and George were nodding in agreement and looking back and forth between her and Snape.

"Clever Miss Granger, and I'm glad you pay such close attention to your surroundings, the answer to your question is Wolfsbane. I brew it for Remus Lupin every month on the eighteenth." Snape said with a small smile on his face. Hermione looked him over one more time and smiled.

"I'm sorry for the hassle Professor. And for the record, no matter what anyone else says I think you look great." Hermione said and went to sit back down. Snape looked her up and down and chuckled.

"Thank you Miss Granger." He said as he and the Headmaster went to stand next to Molly.

"I take it that you all already know about the new bill requiring half bloods and muggle borns to declare themselves and whose side they are on, mine or the Ministry's. I have encouraged everyone to reject the notion and not go to register. Ms. Granger if there becomes a problem at the school this year I will need you to guide all the muggle borns to a safe place that we have established. We will disclose it to you at the time of needing it. Harry, Voldemort plans to use your connection to feed you false information and try to trap you at some point this year. We need you to communicate with us if you have any experiences of that nature. Fred you and George will also have some projects to do this year, which I will give to you at different points through the year. Ginny, we need you to keep your eyes open and your ear to the ground. Death Eaters have been busy recruiting their children and other pureblood's to their cause. You need to let us know if you can find out any of their plans." Dumbledore said with finality. Hermione looked up at Dumbledore.

"Headmaster is Draco returning to school this year. He wont be safe in Slytherin. He and I came up with a plan to keep him in school and safe." Hermione stated and Dumbledore chuckled and nodded.

"He was in my office yesterday pleading the case. You two have come up with a great plan. And you will have the unused dorms in the east tower. However there are some things that I would discuss with you, perhaps later on this evening about the situation, Mr. Malfoy informed me you have some other thoughts that he was not privy too." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled and he smiled. Hermione's eyes lit up but she showed no other visible signs of knowing what he was talking about.

"Thank you Headmaster." Hermione looked at Ginny who smiled and winked.

"Then with that all having been said, this meeting is at a close." Everyone piled out of the living room and headed in different directions. Hermione waited for everyone to leave except Snape and walked over to where he stood near the fireplace.

"Ms. Granger, is there something I can do for you." Snape asked her politely, no sneer or impatience in his voice.

"Hermione, sir. We're not in school, or public, please call me Hermione." Hermione said and smiled as she looked him over again slowly. He watched her eyes wander and when she finally met his eyes again there was a look he had never seen in them before there for just a moment.

"Hermione, what is it that you need from me?" Snape asked as he looked her over again as well. Hermione smirked as he took a moment to bring his eyes back to hers.

"I just wanted to know what had affected so much change, it hasn't been that long since I saw you last." Hermione asked quietly enough that only he could hear her. He wasn't sure that he should have such a conversation with her, she was only a fifth year after all. But he couldn't see the harm in telling her.

"I could say the same for you Hermione, but as you asked first, I have been attempting a new relationship, and since I figure that if I'm going to be courting then I need to look the part, I made some changes." Snape answered in just as quiet of a tone as held her eyes for a moment.

"I thought it would be something of that nature. It's too bad, you are a good looking man. Whoever he is should know how lucky he is." Hermione said and winked at Snape. Snape was completely taken by surprise and his mouth went dry.

"He? How do you know it's a he? And it's my turn to inquire about change. Did you do it knowing every male with a functional penis within sight would be unable to keep from staring?" Snape asked intrigued, his voice was almost as soft as velvet. Hermione lightly licked her lips before answering. Snape watched and felt a response in his nether regions.

"Because if it was for a female, you wouldn't have been so selective in fabric combinations. Women can be rough when their hot and bothered, but they aren't going to rip your robes apart to get them out of the way. And again if you were trying to impress a woman, your cologne would be muskier and not so subtle. You smell amazing, but its more of a natural scent, something a man would appreciate more. And which changes are you asking about?" Hermione said and leaned a bit closer as she breathed his scent in. Snape was almost bulging out of his pants as he had perfect view down her shirt. He could smell her sweet yet spicy scent as she leaned into him. He moved back a fraction to look into her face.

"You really do notice everything don't you?" He asked her and she looked at his bulge for a second and smirked. He followed her eyes and they both looked back into each others eyes at the same time. Snape had a slight blush on his cheeks and Hermione winked.

"I wouldn't be the 'brightest witch of my age' if I didn't. And my age does bother you, probably not as much as it would from any other girl at Hogwarts, but you keep thinking that you should not be aroused by me. And maybe your right. But I did put a lot of time and effort into the 'change' you spoke of. No I didn't use magic to make myself appealing. I just learned how to make the very best of what I have. Though I did create a potion for my hair. Everything else has been done the muggle way. But I see I did a good job." Hermione said and spared a glance to see that they were completely alone no one so much as eves dropping. Snape also looked up at that point and didn't see anyone either.

"Yes, your age is an issue. Mentally though obviously not physically. You are too young, and I am trying to become involved with someone. We should not..." He stopped abruptly as she grabbed him by the bulge in his trousers. He looked at her surprised but didn't make move to move her hand.

"Of course we shouldn't, and more then likely nothing more then some errant thoughts will come from this conversation. But my question is do you want too? Who would be the wiser?" Hermione lightly squeezed and released him and he gasped. He looked into her eyes and knew she wasn't any other student and he did want to take her, more then he knew he should.

"Hermione." He almost pleaded and put his hand on hers she looked down to their hands and back up to his eyes.

"Severus. You want too, obviously here isn't a good place and this probably isn't the best time. I'll come to your office. After the welcoming feast." Hermione said she'd leaned into speak in his ear.

"Alright. I'll be there. Knock three times and the password will be forbidden fruit." He said into her ear, he knew he wasn't going to be able to tell her no. She turned into him and kissed him, it was quick and sweet, he almost wanted to take her to the castle right then. She let go and stepped away quickly with a wink.

"Okay, I'll let you collect your thoughts and get into the kitchen before they send a search party for you. No getting cold feet. I'll be in touch." Hermione said as Snape pulled his cloak closed to hide is hard on. He knew he was in for a very long month. First Sirius and now Hermione.

"Yeah, you probably need to go see Weaslette before she comes looking for you. This is just between us, or I will deny it ever happened. Do not cross me, or you will regret it." Snape said in a very serious tone, Hermione looked him over.

"You have nothing to worry about. While I intend to do some morally questionable things I would never give out my personal secrets. I have a better sense of self preservation than that." Hermione said and stepped back and smiled.

"It was great to talk to you Professor. I can't wait to work on those potions with you this term. Have a good night I'll see you again soon." Hermione was looking past him and he knew they had been joined.

"I expect you to have all the necessary materials and information, and you need to be on time. I have other engagements that I can't be late for just because you can't read a clock." Snape said in his usual Professor tone. Hermione nodded and smiled and walked past him to where Ron was standing.

"Hey Ron, whats up?" Hermione said as she took his arm and they walked outside. Ron looked back toward Snape and noticed his eyes on them. Ron sneered and looked back the way he was walking.

XxXxXx

"What did that snake want? You said you wanted to talk to me about Draco in your last letter." Ron said as they sat on a bench in the garden.

"He is going to tutor me in potions this term. I want to do some more caustic potion work for the Order, he said he would supervise me. And you're right I do want to talk to you." Hermione explained making up an excuse off the top of her head, and she also made note to write Severus and tell him the excuse so that their stories are straight if they need them to be.

"I don't understand your need to keep going over and beyond at school. But that's a discussion for another time. What do you want to talk about?" He asked and as he examined her face.

"Remember the letter you sent me after Harry came to my house and yelled at me about Draco. You said it would take something huge to make you want to befriend him. Well I wanted to ask you to give him a chance, for me. Just one chance to prove that he isn't a Malfoy anymore and that he wants to be on our side, to be our friend." Hermione asked and watched him take in what she was saying. His face turned a little pink but he took a deep breath and looked her in the eyes.

"Are you so convinced that he has changed that your taking up for him now?" Ron asked in a slightly tight tone. Hermione looked for any compassion in his eyes and found the small amount she was looking for.

"No, I am not convinced. But he has changed some, and it's enough that I am willing to give him the one chance that he asked for. He hasn't disappointed me yet, and I haven't been easy on him. I have really gotten to see a side of him that I haven't ever seen before the last week or so. I am intrigued and I think if you gave him a shot, you would see it too, and would be a little more willing to have him around. I'm not asking you to be his friend, or to overlook any behavior or character flaws he may have. I just want you to stop seeing him as a clone of his father and give him a chance to repent." Hermione said in a soothing and almost pleading voice. Ron looked angry for a second and as he looked in Hermione's eyes his expression softened. Hermione smiled and grabbed Ron's hand.

"Okay, one chance. I'll give him one chance to show me he isn't a Malfoy anymore. And if for any reason I don't believe him, you will take me seriously and stop associating with him." Ron said and squeezed her hand. She squeezed back.

"Thank you Ron. This means a lot to me. I'll write Draco in the morning and let him know." Hermione said with a smile that could kill.

"I'll ask Mum and Dad and see if he can come to visit or maybe even stay a day or two. So that we all can get to know him better. That would make you happy wouldn't it Mione?" Ron asked and Hermione nodded.

"Thank you! Thank you Ron, I knew you would be reasonable. You're the best!" Hermione said and wrapped him in a tight hug. He hugged her back and kissed her head.

"I'd do anything for you Mione, even if it means having to deal with Malfoy." Ron said and Hermione squeezed him then let go and sat back.

"It's cold and I'm sure that your mom needs help in the kitchen. We should go inside." Hermione said as she stood. Ron stood too and offered his arm. They walked inside together talking of simple things like what to get Fred and George for Christmas.

All the while Hermione was thinking of what she was getting herself into.