AN: Thanks again for all the lovely reviews! It means a lot to know that I have support and that people are reading. Thanks too all those who are reading as well. Hope you like!
I still don't own, though I still wish that I did.
"Severus?"
Snape looked up from the letter he was writing. Hermione was smiling across from him with a glimmer in her eyes. Snape tried not to smile back, though he found it difficult. "What part of don't come here today did you not understand?" he asked.
"The part where I got plenty of sleep," she answered.
"So that's why you didn't show up for breakfast," Snape muttered.
"Please Severus! I've spent all morning with Neville in my classroom, but I have an idea for something."
"This idea cannot wait until later?" he asked.
"Well, no, not really," she answered.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because it's been bugging me all morning!" she answered.
"Hermione, I hardly find that a compelling reason," he answered.
"I know, but please Severus! I've already got my classroom laid out and I really want to get back to this! This is the cure! I can feel it!"
He sighed. "I also told you not to come today."
"I know," she sighed.
"But," Snape continued. "I do have some potions to brew today, and I suppose that I'll be close enough to hear you if something does go wrong."
Her eyes lit up as her smile grew wider. "Thank you so much!" she exclaimed. "You won't regret it."
"For your sake I hope not," he answered.
She smiled and went towards the lab. She stopped just before entering. "When are you coming?" she asked.
"In a few minutes. I need to finish this."
"What is it?" she asked.
"If I told you it would no longer be my private affair."
"I didn't know it was that," she answered.
"Yes, it is. It's a project that I'm working on."
"Oh, Can I see it when it's done?" she asked.
"Perhaps," he answered. "But in the meantime I suggest that you begin working on your lycanthropy potion before I decide to simply devote my time to this and kick you out."
She shrugged and walked into the lab. He sighed and looked down at the parchment. He continued writing, hoping that she didn't sneak up behind him one day and read his letters.
Ron opened the main door to Hogwarts and smiled as all the memories of his school years came flooding back to him. He remembered everything from the Yule Ball to his kiss dance with Hermione. He wondered for a moment if Hogwarts ever brought back memories for her as well. He walked further in and smiled wider. "Mr. Weasley?"
He looked up. "Hello Headmistress McGonagall! How's it going?"
"Oh wonderfully Ron!" she replied. "What brings you here though?"
"I'm here to see Hermione," he answered.
"Oh, why?" she asked as she looked down at the items in his hand.
"Well, because I need to give her some things," Ron answered.
"I see," she replied, "Like those."
He nodded. "Can I see her now?"
She sighed. "Ron, I read some of the Daily Prophets, the allegations against you, and I have to ask why? Why did you do all those things to Hermione, and how could you just come back and ask for her forgiveness?"
Her face had become hard and cold. Ron shrunk back a little. "I've changed," he answered. "I know what I did was wrong, but I love Hermione. I honestly do."
Her eyes were still hard and her frown only deepened, but she then replied, "Then don't screw up again. I will never let you hear the end of it if you do."
"Understood," Ron answered. "Where is she?"
"She's probably with Severus right now. They spend most of their days together."
Ron looked as though he'd swallowed a porcupine's quill, but he nodded and muttered thanks. He decided that before trying to get to Snape's office, he'd try Hermione's room. When he got there though, the door to her room was shut and locked. Frowning, he made his way down to Snape's office, muttering curses along the way. He descended into the dungeons and peeked into the classroom. Snape was writing something, but Hermione was nowhere to be found. He knocked on the door. Snape looked up, annoyance written all over his face. His eyes hardened when he saw Ron. He put a book over what he'd been writing. "Hello Snape," Ron growled as he entered.
"Weasley," he scowled.
"Who's there?" Hermione asked from another room.
"No one important!" Snape answered. "Keep working! I'll be there soon."
"Okay," she answered.
He listened for her, but he heard nothing. "Are you her bodyguard now?" Ron asked.
"No. I find Hermione quite adequate in defending herself. Still, these are my rooms and I will not allow people to come in here and disrupt my peace."
"Then maybe you can help me!" Ron replied. He put the stuff on Snape's desk.
"And here I thought that you didn't care," Snape drawled.
"Not for you, you greasy git. They're for Hermione! Can you make sure that she gets them?" he asked.
"Do I look like the owling service to you?" he asked caustically.
"Do I look like I'm interested in playing games with you? I can't get into Hermione's rooms…"
"Think that there's a reason for that?" Snape snapped. "Think that maybe she wants you out?"
"But she and I," Ron began.
Snape smirked before interrupting. "Are over. Last night, when she saw you, she became so upset that she came to me crying. She had a lot to say, and none of it was, 'I love Ron Weasley.' Yes, she's recovering from you quite nicely."
Ron glowered at him. "You have no idea what you're talking about."
"I can assure you that my hearing was perfectly fine when she came to me. I heard her complaints, and believe that I understand the problem in your relationship just fine. The problem is simply this: she is too good for you."
"Maybe she is, but I love her. You can't tell me that you understand that," Ron replied.
Before Snape could answer, he heard a shriek. He stood up and his eyes became softer, almost fearful. "Severus!" Hermione screamed.
Snape looked at Ron and glared at him. "If I find you still here when I come back you will regret it!"
Snape ran out of the room into the labs, robes billowing behind him. Does he always wear those things? Ron thought before looking around the room.
