D/C: Our darling Harry Potter and friends do not belong to me, now excuse me while I go cry about it. *sniffle

A/N: Wow! Thanks so much for all the great reviews! I love you guys! Seriously, the definition of happiness is me reading reviews. No seriously, look it up. 8D

Chapter 11: Plans Made, Plans Failed

Hermione noticed Harry had been spending a lot of time with Luna Lovegood lately, and she could tell Ginny was not taking it well. The redhead was becoming incredibly irritable, and she spent most of her time alone. Harry nor Ron really seemed to notice, both of them caught too up in their girlfriends. Hermione, not sure of the best approach, decided that it would be best to let the two come to terms on their own.

That plan went out the window during the usual party to celebrate a Gryffindor quidditch win. Both of the boys had their girlfriend present, snogging them unashamedly while being hailed by all of their teammates, all but one that is. Ginny had made her way over to the corner and, when Hermione finally returned from the potions lab, was attempting to drink herself into oblivion.

Hermione took the bottle of firewhiskey out of Ginny's hand, much to the younger girl's dismay.

"Hey! Giveit back, Iwantit," she said, blending her sentences into one word.

"No, you don't. Now come with me, now."

"Why? Where?"

"First, you're going to take a shower, and then we're going to bed."

"I don't wanna."

"Ginny, I can promise that you'll like it a lot more than sitting in the corner of the room, watching the one scene that hurts you more than anything else."

"Fine," Ginny said, allowing Hermione to help her to her feet and guide her up the stairs.

The boys didn't note their absence until someone shouted a toast to Ginny's performance in the game.

"Ginny, here. Drink this water, it'll help. I'm going to start running the shower and I'll be right back."

Ginny took the glass, looking at Hermione as if she had just stolen her favorite toy. Despite the unhappy look, Ginny drank it. When Hermione returned, Ginny was laying back on her bed, quiet tears streaming past her temples towards her hair.

Hermione took off Ginny's shoes and socks. Then she gently pulled her up into a sitting position and unhooked her cape, stood her up, and walked her to the bathroom. After undressing and assisting the heartbroken mess before her into the shower, Hermione rolled up her own sleeves, got a loofa, and began gently scrubbing. After the hot water seemed to have soothed Ginny's tears, Hermione wrapped her friend in a towel and led her back to the bedroom. After helping Ginny put on her pajamas and get into bed, Hermione put on her own pajamas.

"`Mione?"

"Yes, Gin?"

"Will you stay with me tonight?"

"Sure thing, Gin."

Hermione slid into the twin bed beside her friend and put her arm over her side. Ginny turned to face her, and snuggled into her shoulder.

"`Mione?"

"Yes, Gin?"

"I'm in love with him."

"I know, Gin."

"He's in love with her, isn't he?"

"I'm not sure, but I think he's falling in love anyway."

"I blew it. I never should have gone to that party with Cormac. I just didn't want to go alone."

"Don't think like that. Who knows why things don't always go according to plan? You can't think it was your fault, though."

"What should I do?"

"I don't really know. Try to move on, I guess."

"Was it like this for you with Ron?"

"I was hurt when he first started with Lavender, but after a little while, I realized that we weren't meant for each other and now I'm glad of it."

"Stupid boys, I hate them."

Hermione gave a slight giggle. "I'm sure you'll think differently when you find the right one."

"Maybe. Night, `Mione."

"Night, Ginny."

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Hermione hated Lavender's snoring. On a good day it was worse than a hippogriff with a cold. She tried to roll out of bed, but realized that her arm was held down by Ginny's head.

Very gently, she eased away from her. Blood rushed back into her arm and she felt a tingling sensation all the way to her fingertips. She was nearly done with her shower before it finally stopped. She dressed quickly and left for the potions lab. Yesterday, Dumbledore had asked for Snape to take Hermione into Diagon Alley today. He told them to pick up any ingredients Hermione would need, and asked that they also pick a gift for Minerva's birthday for him.

Hermione smiled. He had only said that so Severus would allow her to shop while in Diagon Alley. She knew he had already gotten her mother's present, and she was excited to be able to shop for a birthday present for her mother for the first time. She hadn't even known her mother's birthday until her father mentioned it a few days ago. She only felt bad that Snape would have to go with her, he didn't really seem the sort to enjoy gift shopping, and he did growl rather loudly when Dumbledore had said it. She would have just gone into Hogsmeade if he hadn't said that.

Hermione knocked at the potions lab door before trying to open it. She was of course, locked out. The door opened a moment later, allowing Hermione into the lab. Snape was not inside. Slightly confused, she just went to her drawer in his desk and found her list of needed supplies. Snape appeared a moment later, hooking the clasp of his cape on.

"Are you ready Granger?"

"I was here before you."

Snape glared at her, but Hermione just giggled.

"Not a morning person?"

"Seeing as how we are likely going to spend the day in one another's company, I do not think you want to set this mood right off," he said, glowering.

Hermione wanted to giggle again, but she knew it would not make for a pleasant day.

"Okay, let's go."

Snape nodded, and turned back towards his private quarters. Hermione waited, thinking he was getting something he had forgotten.

"Are you coming or not?" he asked loudly from the other room.

"Um, yeah, coming," Hermione said as she rushed towards the generally forbidden room.

Hermione stepped through the door slowly, as if afraid something would attack her. She hadn't really noticed anything the first time she was in here, she had been focused only on her professor. But now, she stole a look around. It was dark, as she expected, but the room held a peaceful quality to it.

He certainly likes his slytherin colors.

She looked at the couch that he had laid on while injured, and her brain flashed back to that night. Her heart raced at the memory, and she turned to Snape with a pained look.

"Now that you're through appraising my quarters, may we leave?" Snape snapped at her.

"Yes, sorry." Hermione stepped towards the fireplace he pointed at, stopping to put her hand on his arm for a brief moment, grateful that he was there.

As soon as she was inside, he threw the floo powder towards her and she said, "Diagon Alley."

He appeared a moment after her, then walked with her following quickly behind, to their first stop of the day. She almost protested when they passed Slug & Jiggers Apothecary, but stopped herself.

Snape, sensing her pause, said, "We are not here for any first year potion, Miss Granger."

"Right."

He led her further down the alley to a dark shop, next to Twillfit and Tatting's called Morning's Brew.

Upon walking in, a short, round, old woman practically jumped out of her chair at the counter.

"Mr. Snape, I hate when you do that. Must you always storm in so? And looking so formidable."

"Good morning, Mrs. Fander."

"Good morning," she said smiling, "It is good to see you again. How long's it been? Oh, probably four months. You really should stop in more often, I do get so lonely."

"Hm. Here is the list, I am going to get the rest off the shelf while you get these."

"Oh, I moved the Doxy eggs, if you need those. I had to put them behind the counter, because some fool kept trying to hatch them."

"I don't need them, thank you."

"Well, alright." Just now seeming to notice Hermione, Mrs. Fander smiled warmly. She lowered her voice as she gathered the potion ingredients on her list.

"He knows exactly what I keep behind the counter," she said, pointing to the list, "It's uncanny, his memory."

Hermione smiled at her, then at Snape.

"You know," the woman started with a mischievous grin, "Severus has never brought a woman here before. I'm quite thrilled to see him finally taking an interest. And you are so lovely."

"I-uh" Hermione wanted to correct her, to tell the woman that he wasn't 'taking an interest', but she simply blushed.

"Oh, look at you. Love."

"Uh, I-," Hermione stopped and turn a brilliant shade of red when Snape made his way to the counter and laid the ingredients out on it.

"This will be all, Mrs. Fander."

The older witch smiled sweetly at him and Hermione, "Perfect."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Oh, nothing. Let's just get this stuff bagged up and ready to go."

After leaving the shop, Hermione followed Severus, eyes staying completely focused on his boots.

They paid visits to a few more shops, including Flourish & Bott's Hermione's favorite book store. When they were finally ready to check out, Hermione grinned at how many books he was buying.

"And I thought I was a bookworm," she said, smiling.

He just wrinkled his nose at her.

Walking out of the shop, Hermione caught a delicious scent that made her realize how hungry she was.

"Um, could we possibly stop to eat some lunch?" she asked, readying herself for his refusal.

Instead, he pointed to a nearby café, "Will that do?"

"Yes, that would be lovely."

He put his hand on the small of her back, unwittingly making her blush, and guided her towards the café.

After lunch, at which Hermione had a sandwich and Severus only had tea, they stopped in at Quality Quidditch supplies. Hermione had seen a few trinkets in the window sporting Hogwarts' teams and thought perhaps she would find something for Minerva there. It took all of five minutes for her to decide, and she smiled as she watched the clerk wrap the scarf she had settled on for her mother. It was a lovely red scarf with golden patterns throughout. She planned to add a lion on the ends before she gave it to her.

"What do you think?" she asked Snape happily.

"I'm sure Dumbledore will be pleased with your selection," he answered dryly.

"You don't like it?"

"Why are you so concerned with MY opinion? It's not for me."

"Forget that it is Gryffindor. Do you like it?"

"It's bright."

"If it were green with silver throughout?"

"It would certainly be more pleasurable to the eyes."

Hermione laughed and Snape smirked.

"Come on then. It's already three."

"Really? Where did the last five hours go?"

Snape just raised an eyebrow at her.

"Alright then, let's go."

Dumbledore smiled brilliantly as Hermione showed him the scarf she had bought. The Gryffindor lions were badly sewed in, but he was sure Minerva would appreciate the sentiment.

"Okay, her birthday is in three days. I've arranged for the elves to make her a cake and we'll meet in my office after your last class. Ooh, this going to be fun."