A/N: I didn't feel like working on school papers and boring textbook reads, so instead I wrote this chapter in a few hours and I'll read my Kobo once it is posted. Or watch Groundhog's Day. :) A few random facts about this chapter. One, I actually did look up the full moon cycle of 1977, and it did happen on Christmas. Yayyy research. Anyways, I hate job searching, and I hope I find one soon that's not sales. And I think I've mentioned before how much I hate winter, right?

I didn't? Oh, okay. I hate winter. Hooray for early spring! Everyone's responses have been fabulous. I am overwhelmed and I appreciate the enthusiasm. Please keep the e-mail alerts and reviews coming. It will make me happy. Have a great rest of the week!

CHAPTER 14: TRIAL AND ERROR

Sure enough, Hermione received two letters a few days after she spoke with the Headmaster. One letter stated that Damocles approved of the research team and their test subject, and the other was from Mr. Belby himself, stating he would like an audience with the two students, the test subject, and Professor Slughorn who would be their advisor on the project.

It was the most awkward meeting Hermione had ever witnessed, mostly because Severus and Remus were stuck in the same room for such a long period of time. Severus tried to pretend the Gryffindor werewolf was not at all involved with the project, and then when Remus managed to make eye contact with him, Severus had an expression of distaste on his face, as if a stinkbomb went off in the vicinity.

Hermione was pressured to play a double ally to both Remus and Severus. Remus was apprehensive about the prospects of ingesting a lethal substance. Severus was angered about helping a sick student he hated. Between the daggers Severus sent her for being nice to the sick teen and the pleading gaze from Remus to get him out of the situation, Hermione was at her wit's end.

Belby caught a few of Hermione's eye rolls and felt the tension in the room as he explained the project. He looked up at Professor Slughorn with disgust on his face "I say, Horace. Are these students mature enough to work with such an important project?" Belby snapped after Severus shot another cold glare at the werewolf.

"I must apologize for their behavior, sir," Hermione interrupted Slughorn before he could make an excuse, an air of impatience in her voice. "See, at Hogwarts, there are petty inter-house rivalries occurring. Severus here loathes Remus for being Gryffindor, and Remus fears his life because he thinks Severus will poison him with the potion."

This only made Damocles's face turn a deeper crimson. "Well, I see you three fail to see the severity and importance of this research." He closed his briefcase with a snap and rose up from his seat. "I shall waste no more of your time."

"No wait, sir," Severus stood up abruptly. "Please, do not doubt my abilities. I promise you, I am adept enough to help you with your work. It will be more of a challenge to set aside my differences with…with Mr. Lupin, but I will try my best to be as professional as possible."

Belby seemed reluctant to listen to Severus, but he exhaled in defeat. "Mr. Snape, Professors Dumbledore and Slughorn have notified me that it is your wish to continue a career in medical research and healing after Hogwarts. Is this correct?" Severus silently nodded. "Good," Belby continued. "However, you must realize that your research will have a purpose to treat ailing patients. To find solutions, not just answer questions. You will be treating people you care for: Mothers, fathers, cousins, and friends. But remember, you will treat those you have grievances against with the same attention and respect as those you love! There is no room for aggression and bias when it comes to life or death. Please be aware of that in the future."

Hermione noted a slight tinge of red appearing on Severus's cheeks as he looked down and responded, "I will, sir," in a quiet, disheartened voice.

"I trust his abilities, Mr. Belby," Hermione stated with assurance.

"Me too," whispered Remus.

Severus was taken aback at his pronouncement. Remus caught his bewildered expression and chuckled. "Just because I don't like you doesn't mean I can't admit when you have a brilliant skill, Severus."

Severus still looked at the werewolf as if he sprouted an extra head. "Thank you, Remus," he managed to speak.

Belby stared from one male teen to the other and finally shrugged his shoulders. "Well, it's a start."

He passed to the group confidentiality agreements, which they all signed willingly. As he gathered the parchment, he outlined the final plan to the students.

"Mr. Lupin, I understand the full moon wanes in a few days. We obviously will not have completed the trials by then, but if you give me a sample of your blood, we may be able to have the first round completed by December's cycle, which incidentally falls on Christmas. And we must discuss your compensation."

Remus nodded. Belby notified Severus and Hermione to report to the dungeons the next day to start the work. He then dismissed them, so they left silently, allowing the Healer and Slughorn to discuss business with the werewolf.

Hermione bit her lip to stop her smile from spreading as she watched Severus walk next to her. He had a distinct spring in his step and his eyes were twinkling with excitement.

"You're really looking forward to all of this. Even though it means helping one of your worst enemies," she stated, no longer hiding her glee at his pleasant disposition. She even caught sight of one of the corners of his mouth twitch, as if it was threatening to smile. Hermione couldn't explain why such a vision would make her stomach flip in giddiness.

They stopped walking as they passed an open courtyard. The November chill was in the air, but that didn't deter Severus from entering the brisk breeze. He sat down on a stone bench and patted to the vacant seat next to him, which she accepted. "You have no idea, Hermione," he said, whispered excitement etched in his voice.

Hermione was mesmerized with the pure joy written all over Severus's face. He didn't outright smile, but something about the softness in his jaw, the eager glimmer in his dark eyes, the corner of his mouth threatening to finally rebel from his usual calm reserve made it obvious. It was simply Severus. And yet, beautiful in its own special way.

She saw pure passion in those features. Potions and research were his one true love. Hermione wondered if that expression was ever on his face when he loved Lily…before they ended their relationship. It was understandable why his work would give him such bliss. It could never betray him or break his heart.

"Do you know what this means for us?" he whispered. "We are making history right now. I am not one to parade for equal rights, but decades from now…" he sighed happily.

Hermione smiled gently. "I know, Sev. Lycanthropy will only be a disease. Werewolves will be able to function in society like normal witches and wizards. You are giving so many people chances for a real future. That's really something."

She didn't know what possessed her, but she was caught in the moment. Out of her own accord, Hermione's arm reached over for Severus. And before she knew it, his hand was in hers.

Hermione caught Severus by surprise for sure. As quickly as she touched him, his eyes flashed to where her thumb gently caressed the back of his hand, and his gaze softened. Hermione's, on the other hand, never left his face. A part of her was cursing herself inwardly for being so rash and bold, but the other part betrayed her rational thought. She needed to see how he would react with her contact.

Suddenly, Hermione felt him withdraw his hand. Just before her heart plummeted, thinking he was going to pull away, he adjusted their position. A slightly calloused palm was turned up against her soft, chilled one, and she felt five long and gentle fingers intertwine with hers. And then, her heart fluttered, for she felt his thumb swirling gently on the back of her hand. Severus returned her caress.

In all of the time she spent with Ron, Viktor, or any of her other suitors, Hermione had never experienced such an intimate encounter, and it was only the simple act of hold his hand. Her breath caught in her throat as she met his gaze, and to her surprise, he finally smiled.

No, it wasn't a toothy grin, or one that took over half his aristocratic face. Simply, the corners of his mouth finally relented, and they upturned. It was soft, just like the touch on the back of her hand. She heard him sigh contently. His expressions were changing so quickly Hermione couldn't keep up with them. She saw surprise, inquiry, curiosity and finally, wonder, like his eyes had open up, like he never saw this woman sitting next to him before.

Hermione felt vulnerable and exposed under his profound gaze. And yet, she was enveloped in the moment. That afternoon, unbeknownst to the two students sitting in that courtyard in the cold November air, a door had opened to them. One that held endless possibilities for the both of them if they remained hand in hand and crossed that threshold together. It was as if this open door was presenting itself right in front of them, and both of them shared that vision through their gentle touch. Nothing else could explain that curiosity in Severus's gleam.

But like a tickle in the back of her mind, a voice echoed fervently. It tried to bring Hermione back to reality, but she wouldn't relent, lost in everything that was around her.

Hermione…don't forget…Ron….Ronald….RONALD!

Like a flash, her conscience screamed the name of her precious fiancée, ex-fiancée, and her hand was out of his, as if it had burned her. Hermione stiffened and looked away. She didn't want to see his reaction to her abrupt behavior, her flat out rejection to what had just happened.

None of them said anything for five very long minutes. She rubbed her palm against the coarse wool of her cloak, trying to rid the tingle Severus left there moments before to no avail.

"Anyways…" she heard his voice interrupt her thoughts. Hermione hoped that her paranoia and discomfort helped her imagine the slight dismay in his timbre.

"Tomorrow," she said quietly, standing up and wrapping her arms around herself for comfort.

"Dungeons," he responded, remaining on the bench.

Hermione nodded and bid farewell to the Slytherin, her feet reluctantly drawing her away from that fated courtyard. Her heart was aching in ways she never thought it could. It was a waste to deny it anymore. Perhaps there were some excuses she could use to justify her admiration for her adult professor, but she was only kidding herself now. Involving herself one-on-one with him as an equal had made Hermione emotionally attached to Severus Snape. She could only hope her emotions would not betray her secret.

It was obvious for the next few days during work sessions that Severus was being particularly distant with Hermione. If he spoke to her, it was only to get her input about additions and subtractions of ingredients to the preliminary formula Belby had drawn up. Hermione even noted, to her dismay, that he made a determined effort not to have physical contact with her as the sessions went by.

Remus was "out sick" towards the end of the week, and Belby had called it a day early. That did not deter Severus from working on the project. In fact, since she met Severus, Hermione noticed he worked more diligently when he was extremely angry.

Judging by his work ethic, Hermione didn't think he was ever as angry as he was that day.

"Severus," Hermione approached him hesitantly. "Is there something wrong?"

"Is there something wrong?" he mimicked her concern in a mocking tone. "Shut up and do your work."

She was going to take none of his attitude. "What's got your wand in a knot?"

As he slammed down his knife, for the first time in a long time, Hermione was frightened at Severus Snape. The glare she received was full of malice and frustration. It took all of her strength not to resort to her former behavior of cowering student, because she saw so much of her professor in that expression.

But then she realized he wasn't her professor…yet. She could fight back. Or at least, not falter under his pressure. Her final decision was to let him fester in his anger. As long as he wasn't forcing it on her, he would eventually get over his little temper tantrum. But when Hermione saw him shred the aconite into haphazard microscopic mush, she had to stop him from destroying the entire test potion.

"Do you want to jeopardize the entire project, you git?" she snapped at him, latching at his wrist to halt his mutilation of the plant. "What kind of potioneer are you?"

"Don't you be lecturing on me about potions making. I've done more research and created more elixirs than you ever will in your lifetime! And my creations are of substantive value!"

Something in the tone of his voice made it seem like he was trying to convince himself of his own skills. "You say that like you aren't quite sure of yourself," she said smugly.

Severus opened his mouth to speak, but changed his mind. Hermione could tell he was torn between slicing her throat with the knife in his hand or telling her everything. Hopefully he would resort to the latter. She loosened her grip on his wrist. It was trembling, for what reasons Hermione didn't know. But it was important he talked to someone about what was bothering him.

"Is there anyone you want to talk to this about? Maybe Dumbledore?" she suggested softly.

Severus snorted and sunk down onto a nearby stool. "Like hell I'll ever tell him anything."

Hermione dragged a stool over to where he sat. "How about another Slytherin?"

"Black knows. Reg, I mean. He only reiterates what I know," Severus said somberly.

Silence hung in the air. "Well…" Hermione hesitated. "I might be able to help. It's the least I can do. You listened to me when I talked about my ex…"

Severus kept his eyes closed and sighed. "My potion was…rejected."

It took a while for Hermione to realize which potion he was referring to. "Oh, you mean your "special project." The…the Cruciatus Potion." Severus managed to nod in response.

"Were you punished?" Hermione asked fearfully.

Severus gave a somber laugh. "No. In fact, he praised my work. But he wants something more painful. Something so powerful, so disturbing, that…that will make a victim beg for release…"

Hermione was shocked at what she heard, at a loss to words. Severus, on the other hand, was a dialogue fountain.

"He called it satisfactory. Satisfactory! I was requested to craft an elixir that would cause excruciating pain to the person who dared to consume it. That's what I created. My time, my efforts, my sweat, and my blood went into that research. Do you know how frustrating it is to brew and test a powerful elixir that actually works? If he's so brilliant, he should create his own! But no, he tells me to go back to the drawing board!"

"So it did work?" Hermione asked haughtily.

Severus rewarded her with a pompous glare. "Of course it worked. Do you think I'm daft enough to offer a potion with unknown affects to the Dark Lord? I tested it."

"On whom?"

Severus ignored her and began chopping up the already unusable mutilated aconite. She grasped his wrist once more. "On whom, Severus?" she commanded.

Severus pursed his lips as he turned to face her. "Well, you couldn't have expected me to hire a test subject on such a secretive project, could you?"

Her jaw dropped. "You tested it on yourself? Please tell me someone was here to assist you from completely going mad."

He stirred the cauldron apathetically. "Once again, secrecy. I told Reg, but he must have forgotten."

"You're completely mental!" Hermione screamed. "Did it even cross your brilliant mind that you could have poisoned yourself? Or hurt yourself irreparably?" It now explained his limp and discomfort from the past few days.

"Since it is obvious to the average wizard that I am, in fact, unmistakably alive, and the potion worked perfectly, there's nothing really else to say, so you can stop your incessant mothering," he spat.

"You're unbelievable!" Hermione stalked off to the other table to gather the rest of her belongings. She was so furious with Severus she didn't know how much longer she could take with him. "Next time you decide to brew and test an illicit substance, make sure I'm there so I can kill you before you kill yourself!" She stormed out of the room.

Hermione and Severus were not on speaking terms after their argument. Luckily, Remus recovered from his latest transformation and was bridging their gap as they went into the months of December. There was a silver lining to their breached communication, at least for Severus. With his full concentration on their work, Belby was very impressed with the successful minor tests they performed on the potion. So much, in fact, that he offered to write a letter of recommendation to St. Mungo's Research Center.

However, the more praise Severus received, the more haggard he looked. Judging by his appearance, Hermione didn't think he had slept properly in days. In the back of her mind, she knew he was working on the replacement potion for Voldemort, and she dreaded his results.

One afternoon, Belby dismissed the group early, over the fact Severus had fallen asleep against the work table. Despite the young Slytherin's insistence on continuing the work, Belby escorted him back to his dormitory so he could rest properly. This left a much needed free afternoon for Hermione and Remus.

Stray flurries were flying through the air as Hermione and Remus took a walk around the grounds. A lot was on her mind and she believed the Gryffindor prefect to be a fair listener to her concerns. Of course, they reached the subject of Severus.

"I can't help but notice," Remus began, "That you and Severus aren't on speaking terms anymore." Hermione's silence only confirmed her uneasiness of the situation. "Can you tell me what happened?"

Hermione sighed and slowed down her walking pace. "It'll be fine. Sev just likes to test illicit and unknown substances on himself without anyone present."

Remus raised his eyes in disbelief. "He's that careless?"

She shrugged. "I guess. Or he has one hell of a death wish. I just don't understand it. He could trust me. Maybe I've been too hard on him…"

The silence hung thick in the air. Remus sighed. "What you have to understand Hermione, is that Severus isn't one to remain close to someone for a long time. I'm sure you heard all about his fall out with Lily." Hermione nodded and he continued. "You see, it's not like he's incapable of being in a close relationship. It's more like he finds a reason to hate someone, superficial or legitimate, and he convinces himself the friendship must end."

Remus had a disgruntled and frustrated look on his face. Hermione frowned. "What happened last year that made him loathe you?" she asked hesitantly.

Lupin chuckled somberly. "Well, it wasn't entirely my fault. Sirius thought it would be funny to have Severus try and figure out my secret." He sighed. "It was only a matter of time before Snape figured everything out, and you know just as well as me that he'd tell the entire school I was a werewolf. The month before, he followed Trammell and me out to the Whomping Willow, and when I fell ill the next month, he couldn't pass the chance to tail me."

He kicked a stone lying on the path, his hand dug deep into his pockets. "Needless to say, Sirius stoked his curiosity even more by convincing him all he had to do was prod the giant knot in the tree with a long branch to immobilize it. James found out, though."

Hermione swallowed. "Did he do anything about it?"

"Well, not at first. I mean, it was a bit humorous to think an arrogant student could render a killer tree motionless with a simple twig. We never actually think he'd go through with it, though. Severus was a git, but he wasn't stupid." His face fell. "When Lily found out what Sirius did, she panicked. I never saw her so upset, not even after her OWLS. She almost approached Severus to convince him not to do it, but they weren't talking anymore. It wouldn't have helped."

"But James finally did see the light and saved him," Hermione finished for him.

He nodded weakly. "Not until after a few good smacks from the tree. I actually almost got him as well…"

Her heart went out to him. He truly was pained for that night. "It was out of your control, Remus. Don't blame yourself," Hermione said comfortingly.

He shrugged his shoulders apathetically. "That's life, Hermione. I'm a monster, and every month I risk of transferring the disease to anyone nearby."

"You're no monster," she retorted passionately. "You're a wonderful, brilliant wizard who is only crippled by an illness. And once we finished with the Wolfsbane Potion, you can live a normal successful life. You'll see."

Remus smiled and pulled her into a hug. "Thanks, Hermione. You and Severus…well…I owe you my life."

She smiled against his chest. "I'll be sure to remember that," she teased. "Just one more thing. Did James save Severus out of guilt, or did he really want to rescue him?"

Remus was silent, thinking over her question. Finally he sighed resolutely. "James and Severus hate each other. I don't speak for Severus, but I know James, and he would never have a death wish on anyone, even Severus. And we both know James isn't cowardly. If he really wanted to harm Severus, he wouldn't have stopped Sirius." Remus responded confidently.

Hermione sunk back into his warm embrace. "I knew it," she whispered happily. Remus gave her an inquiring look. "Never mind, Remus. Let's just go back to the castle."

A part of Hermione was feeling better about the situation. For one, she knew James never wanted Severus dead. Somehow…one day…she would convince him of this fact. But the only way she could do this is if he stopped pushing her away. Remus couldn't be right about Severus, right?

A/N: The hand holding scene was inspired by my first hand-holding encounter with my boyfriend. Something so simple can mean so much. I love you, Bailey. :)