Changes Can Be Made

Disclaimer: I do not own HP!

A/N: Hey guys! The next chapter is HERE! TADA! :)

Arabellagrace: I'll try my best! Thanks so much!

Chapter 10: To Begin, Start with an Introduction

Hermione and Lily made their way down to the dungeons where their first class of their last year would be held. Advanced Potions was a tad bit difficult for Hermione, but since she had experience in the class she wasn't worried.

"I hope it's not that hard… I mean it does say 'Advanced Potions' but I can pass… I think…" Lily said anxiously.

Hermione couldn't help but find Lily's worry funny. Hermione patted Lily's shoulder in a comforting manner, "Stop being such a worry-wart! I'm sure you'll be exceptional!"

Lily smiled weakly at Hermione before they entered the room. The first person to greet them was a jolly, no-bearded Santa Claus, also known as Professor Slughorn.

"Ah! Two lovely young EARLY girls," he said as he joyfully smiled at the girls in question, "I'm glad to see two eager Potion makers at such a young age. Please come in and take a seat."

Lily looked to Hermione, surprise written all over her face. They made their way to a working table to the left of the classroom and sat comfortably in the stools provided. The room was exactly the same as she remembered; the only thing missing was Harry. Hermione shook her head ridding herself of Harry's image, but every time she turned to talk to Lily, she could see Harry's eyes looking back at her. That would always leave a pang of pain pulsing in her heart and she knew that will never change… she can only hope the pain would lessen over time.

"Oh, by the way, what are your names, dear youngsters?" he asked.

"Lily Evans, sir."

"And I'm Hermione Grace, Professor."

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you both, Miss Evans and Miss Grace. Oh since you have time, why don't you both get your textbooks from the cupboard over there," he gestured to a large wooden cupboard that stood to the far left of the room behind his desk.

The girls nodded and swiftly retrieved there textbooks. The book was the same to Hermione. It read 'BORAGE'S Advanced Potion Making' on the cover and pictured a black cauldron with smoke coming from it. She smiled as she recalled the lessons she spent with Harry reading over his copy of the book that had been tampered with by 'The Half-Blood Prince' Severus Snape.

Severus didn't know what came over him to become that bold and mysterious to the Gryffindor girl.

He, like always, was just having a normal early breakfast then all of a sudden he sees this big brunette mane enter the hall.

'She's early,' he thought casually as he watched Hermione converse with Lily. He missed talking to Lily early in the mornings like she and Hermione were currently doing. He wanted to so badly go over to the table and start to talk with the two girls but he knew Lily would never talk to him again. Why would she after what he had called her that day in sixth year. He sighed sadly before moving to exit the hall. He had Advanced Potions first and wanted to make a quick stop in the library to brush up on some of his potions before going to class. As he was leaving he overheard some of the girls' conversation.

"He never thinks of consequences, always messes around and never even takes things seriously!" Lily yelled. Severus was smart enough to put two-and-two together. The 'he' they were referring to was none other than James Potter.

'James potter…' he thought disgusted by the name.

"Even a relationship?" he heard Hermione ask cunningly.

'She's using Lily's sudden outburst to get her to slip up… clever… very clever…'

He stopped walking right behind Hermione and listened to the rest of the conversation.

"YES! Even a relationship!" Lily yelled. Lily gasped as her cheeks coloured red.

Hermione giggled and nibbled on her toast. She stopped nibbling and sang, "Gotcha" as she continued to watch Lily blush.

Severus leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "Very Slytherin of you."

He smiled mischievously as she turned around to meet him. Their faces only inches apart. He had to control the blush that was inevitably creeping into his cheeks and the urge to taste those sweet lips of hers.

"Who are you?" she asked curiously, though he could see in her eyes that she knew him. He decided not to question it and simply answered, "You'll soon find out Miss Hermione Grace." He could see in the corner of his eye Lily glaring at him and knew he was not wanted here, and so, he turned on his heel and headed out of the hall.

He couldn't look back for he knew Hermione would catch the blush that coloured his cheeks.

How could he have done something so bold when he didn't even know her? All he knew was that he wasn't going to see her for the rest of the day…

Remus and the other Marauders ate their breakfast in the same manner as the past six years. Remus, as per usual, sat there eating his eggs and bacon calmly. He was a neat boy so unlike James and Sirius who just shovelled as much food as possible in their mouths, Remus ate carefully making sure he doesn't make a mess. But this morning was different for one reason; something was different with Peter. Peter nibbled on his food quietly like any other morning, only this time he was reading a book on defensive spells and charms.

"What're you reading there, Wormtail?" Remus asked.

"Oh, just some defensive spells and charms… Y-you know… for p-protection…" Peter trailed off.

"Who're you trying to protect Wormtail?" Remus asked cautiously.

"N-no one in p-particular…"

"OH I KNOW!" James said raising his voice a little, "Hermione isn't it!"

This statement caused Sirius to look up in alarm and Peter to blush bright red. Remus nodded his head to confirm his suspicions.

"So you've got the hots for Hermione, eh?" James nudged Peter with a wink.

"I-It's not like that! I-I like her as a f-friend! That's it! It's because… Hermione's s-suffered a lot because of D-Death Eaters and I just… I just… want to p-protect her as her f-friend… That's all!" Peter yelled honestly.

"So you don't like LIKE her?" asked a relieved Sirius.

"No, I don't… I just like her as a friend…" Peter stated clearly.

"What about you Moony?" Sirius asked remembering Remus whisper Hermione's name the night before. James and Peter stopped eating and paid attention to the two serious looking guys.

"Maybe… how about you Padfoot?"

"Yes… I like her… now answer me properly, Moony, because it's never a 'maybe' with you," Sirius said and Remus knew all too well that Sirius was right. Remus never says something he's unsure about.

Silence swept over the group for a moment until Remus finally spoke, "Yes… I do…"

"Then may the best man win..." Sirius challenged.

"Then how about this. No matter who wins Hermione's favour we will stay friends and there will be no hard feelings?" Remus suggested, "Deal?" he asked as he offered a handshake at Sirius. He remembers a pact the four of them made in first year that no girl would ever come between their friendships. Now, 6 years later, Remus was reminding Sirius of that pact.

Sirius looked at Remus in shock for a moment before smiling genuinely happy. Sirius shook Remus' hand, "Deal."

And with that Remus headed off to Advanced Potions.

Severus left the library 20 minutes before class so that even if the stairs change or if by any chance he runs into Peeves, he can still be in class on time. Though he was lucky this morning, the stairs didn't change on his route to the dungeons and he easily avoided Peeves – who was harassing some first years – and managed to reach the stairs to the dungeons in less than 10 minutes. He felt oddly victorious, but, that victory was short lived when he saw the least annoying marauder enter from the opposite corridor.

Remus and Severus looked at each other in awkward silence for a while until Remus finally spoke, "Morning Severus."

"Good morning."

"You can go first," Remus said as he gestured to the stairs.

"Thanks."

Severus headed down the stairs first, Remus right behind him and the first thing he saw shocked him.

There, sitting beside Lily on the left of the room was Hermione Grace. She smiled at his welcoming his to class but he ignored her.

'Great! Just peachy…' he thought sarcastically as the sudden wave of embarrassment from breakfast washed over him.

He avoided eye contact with her as he moved to sit on the farthest right table to grant him more distance between them. He watched enviously as Remus casually strolled over to the Hermione's table and conversed easily with them.

Hermione saw Severus enter the class along with Remus and more classmates. She smiled at both of them. Severus ignored her and sat in the farthest table on the right. Remus, on the other hand, looked at first shocked to see her then completely ecstatic. His smiled reached his ears as he strolled over to her table.

"Good morning ladies," he said.

"Hey Remus," Lily greeted him.

"Good morning to you too Remus," Hermione said happily.

"How's James?" Lily asked quietly with a blush. Hermione giggled at the question and Lily pushed her lightly, "Shut up!"

"Okay okay! How IS Mister James Potter?"

"Fine… how about me?" Remus asked mocking heartbreak.

"Of course, how are you Mister Remus Lupin?" Hermione asked.

"Fine thank-you very much! But hey, what happened to you?" Remus asked Hermione in concern as he pointed to her bandaged arm.

"Oh she injured it when she fell out of bed," Lily answered for her and Remus nodded in sympathy, "By the way, Remus, do you have your textbook for potions?"

Remus shook his head and Lily motioned for him to follow her. Once they left the table they began a deep conversation about James. Hermione already knew Lily and James would be together.

'Lily just needs a little push every now and again,' Hermione thought.

She decided to get a start on her mission. She turned to look at Severus. Their eyes met for a moment, then suddenly he looked down to his Advanced Potion Making text book he had in front of him. He would look up every few seconds and once he sees her still looking at him he quickly looks away. It was as if he was avoiding her.

So, to fix this problem, she stood up from her table and walked over to him. She heard gasps from classmates as she approached the Slytherin.

"Hello Mister Severus Snape," she greeted him with a smile.

"Hermione," he said not once lifting his eyes from the book in front of him.

"I guess you were right…"

This time he looked up at her. His onyx black eyes held no other emotion but confusion.

'He's just as good at hiding his true feelings as he was before…' Hermione thought recalling her previous Potions Professor.

"Right? Right about what?" he asked.

"That I'd soon find out who you were…" she reminded him with a hint of playfulness laced in her voice.

"I guess I was," he said as he began to look back at his book.

Then she asked him something that shocked him and some eavesdropping classmates, including Lily and Remus. "May I sit with you?"

A/N: How was it? Review to tell me! Until next time! Sorry this was kind of late… Hopefully I can update tomorrow! LOVE YOU GUYS! xxx