A/N: So…what's up? I'm awful, I know. Oh my god, I totally was going to have this done by now! Agh! Well, one thing drives out another…sorry! (I did just do a new oneshot the other day though, go check it out)

Anyone seen the latest puppet pals video…the ticking noise one? It's awesome, I'd go look for it.

Disclaimer: It's all JKR's…yeah. Darn.

Chapter 14

At 8:29, Hermione found herself nervously grasping a handful of floo powder in front of the fireplace in the Room of Requirement. She had come up with a convincing excuse to get rid of Harry and Ron, who were hovering over her since her stint in the infirmary. With a deep breath, she stepped in to the empty grate, threw the powder down, and yelled, "Snape's Office," trusting that would be clear enough for the fireplace to comprehend.

It was a short trip, unlike that from the Weasley's to Diagon Alley. She barely had time to feel queasy from the fast movement before she landed violently and stumbled forward. Coughing and dusting off her clothes, she regained her breath and looked up to see Snape sitting behind his desk with a blank expression on his face. She stood self-consciously and unsure of herself while he sized her up.

"Come with me." That was all he said before disappearing through a door on the other side of the desk. Hermione swallowed and, full of trepidation, followed Snape in to what appeared to be a type of sitting room. These were his private quarters. Hermione wondered why she was so nervous and this; it's not like she hadn't spent most of her summer living in his house. But somehow this- or perhaps Snape himself- felt different.

He motioned for her to sit down, doing the same himself. He eyed her carefully and said nothing, which only increased her state of nervousness. Finally, he did break the heavy silence.

"How are you feeling, Miss Granger?"

"Oh, I…fine," she finished lamely. "Better."

"Would you care to discuss what happened between you and Mr. Malfoy down at the lake this afternoon?" he asked in a dangerously casual voice which surprised Hermione.

"Nothing!" she exclaimed, not sure why she felt so indignant. There was something in Snape's voice though, that seemed to imply something, something unpleasant perhaps, about Malfoy. "He came and found me, but before he got the chance to say why, I fell in. That was all."

"You're sure you fell in?"

"What?" Hermione was floored at his implication. "Of course I fell. The giant squid had wrapped a tentacle around my ankle, I panicked, and fell backwards. You honestly think Malfoy would have had the gall to push me in, right in the middle of the grounds? Not to mention, he's the one who saved me life!"

"I never said that!" Snape replied sharply. But that doesn't mean someone else couldn't have orchestrated the incident to make it appear an accident. You are very aware of Lucius Malfoy's involvement with the Death Eaters, I daresay. It's possible that Malfoy wasn't supposed to be there. Or that he was instructed to let you drown, but couldn't because of the presence of other students in the area."

Hermione opened her mouth and then closed it again. She could not honestly say one way or the other if it had been possible that someone else had been responsible for what had happened. But she didn't think so. Instead, she shrugged and gave him a defeated look.

"Very well," Snape relented. "I will see what I can uncover about it. If it comes up in the Dark Lord's circles, chances are it was not a mere accident."

"What makes you think Malfoy wouldn't tell his father about it one way or the other?" Hermione asked, puzzled.

"Because if it was an honest accident, Lucius Malfoy would hardly be pleased if his son didn't let you drown. Draco would be aware that there would be repercussions for such an act and would, therefore, keep his mouth shut."

Hermione felt an unpleasant feeling rising in her throat. That hadn't even occurred to her. Was it possible that she was only alive right now because Malfoy wouldn't have been able to convincingly persuade the others that it had been an accident?

"As it is," Snape continued, businesslike as usual, "we have a lot of work to do. Our very lives may depend on it."

It was quite possibly two of the most awkward hours she had ever experienced in her life. Snape explained how she would need to be convincingly obedient and humble, to both himself and Malfoy.

"But what if he tries to…you know…" she couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence, but Snape knew what she meant.

"He won't," Snape assured her. "It's a…property thing, and understanding, for lack of a better term. And if he does, I'm right here the whole time."

Feeling slightly comforted, but only slightly, Hermione took her leave of the dungeons, flooing back up to the Room of Requirement. It was time for prefect rounds, which gave her the chance to reflect a bit while wandering around the castle before having to return to the common room.

When she climbed through the portrait hole, she found Ron, just returned himself from rounds, sitting with Harry in their favorite armchairs by the fire, hastily finished some charms homework which Hermione had done three days ago.

"So how'd it go?" Harry murmured distractedly as he scribbled out a few words.

"What?" Hermione turned sharply and looked at him. He stopped and stared at her, puzzled.

"The tutoring you told us about…that you couldn't miss…?"

"Oh!" Hermione exclaimed, "fine, it was fine. Sorry, I'm just a bit out of it tonight."

"Falling in to a freezing lake will do that to you," Ron acknowledged wisely. Harry smacked him in the arm.

SCENESCENESCENESCENESCENESCENE

The next day, lessons went by painstakingly slowly. Potions was the worst. Neither Hermione nor Malfoy particularly seemed to want to look at each other the whole class and Snape kept sending glances in their general direction, probably, Hermione reflected, checking to see whether Malfoy was trying to poison her or anything.

"I really wish he'd stop doing that," Malfoy finally muttered under his breath.

"What?" Hermione asked in surprise.

"He keeps looking at us like we're doing something wrong, it's making me nervous." Hermione was floored. The idea that Malfoy was uncomfortable with Snape's attention struck her very bizarre. Instead, she agreed with him meekly.

"I know what you mean," she said in as pitiful a voice as could sound convincing. This was another part of Snape's plan. He figured the older Malfoy would delightedly tell his son about the arrangement between Snape and Hermione. Thus, Hermione would need to subtly and gradually change her attitude in Potions class. Appearing intimidated more easily, not answering questions and drawing attention to herself.

At her words, Malfoy threw a quick look her way but hastily turned back again, thinking.

Well, Hermione thought miserably, the plan seems to be working. Malfoy certainly seemed to have verified something in his mind. She was waiting for the taunts and evil hints, but they never came. She figured rumors would be going 'round soon enough, however, about her being Snape's whore. She could not even believe what she'd gotten herself in to. Actually, she reflected, it's more Snape's and Dumbledore's faults than it is mine.

Lost in thought, she hadn't noticed Snape, doing his rounds around the room, come up behind the pair and observe her stirring the potion. He leaned in very close and whispered so just the two could hear him.

"You're a bit tense, Miss Granger," he said in his silkiest voice. He put his hand over hers and guided it. "Longer, sweeping stirs will work much better than short, rigid ones."

She nodded, saying, "yes, Professor," quietly, and Snape swept on to the next pair.

Malfoy was silent the rest of the period. Hermione thought grimly, at least he'll have a lot to report back to dear old daddy.

SCENESCENESCENESCENESCENESCENESCENE

Under Snape's instructions, Hermione waited until Harry and Ron had gone to bed and then, pretending she was going as well, she actually snuck out and went to the Room of Requirement, where she flooed to Snape's rooms again.

He was waiting for her. He quickly ushered her back to his sitting room and gave her a cup of tea.

"Are you sure you are prepared for this?" he asked.

She smiled faintly. "I suppose I kind of have to be, don't I?"

"Not necessarily," he interjected, more sharply than intended. "I could stall Malfoy a couple days if absolutely necessary." But Hermione just shook her head.

"Better now and get it over with," she shrugged but sounded rather nervous to Snape.

"Very well then," he acknowledged. "In that case, why don't you try and get some sleep?"

"I…what?" Hermione was confused.

"It will be very late before Malfoy makes his appearance, I would guess. There is little sense in you wearing yourself out trying to stay awake until ungodly hours of the night. Here," he handed her a folded garment, "take this and put it on." He motioned her through a door back to her right. "And get some rest. Don't leave that room unless I tell you to."

She did as instructed. The garment was a green (no surprise there, she though), silky nightgown. She looked herself over in the mirror. She supposed it wasn't too bad. She climbed in to the large bed in what appeared to be a sort of spare or guest bedroom, and soon fell in to a deep sleep.

She was awakened by voices. It felt like no time had passed, but a quick glance at her watch told her it was nearly 3 a.m.

"…Of course didn't mean to wake you," came Malfoy's smooth, entirely unconvincing voice from out in the sitting room.

"I'm sure," came the wry reply. "Now, as much as I'd love to chat, I really am quite tired, so what exactly can I do for you, Lucius?"

Rather than answer, Malfoy began to peer around Snape's living quarters. Reaching the last door, he opened it ever so slightly. "Is she in here?" he asked slyly. Hermione heard no reply but Malfoy slowly pushed open the door and slinked in to the room, Snape close behind.

Hermione sat up in the bed, careful not to really look at Malfoy, as Snape had instructed. She was surprised to note, however, that Snape really did have the appearance of one just roused from a deep sleep. She was fairly certain, though, that Snape hadn't slept at all that night.

"Good evening, Miss Granger," Malfoy purred softly, sitting on the edge of the bed. "It's quite a pleasure to see you again." He took a hand and cupped her face, gently caressing her cheek with his thumb.

"Good evening, Mr. Malfoy," she murmured quietly in return. Polite, but subservient, as guided by Snape's directions the previous evening. She tensed as he slowly moved his hand down her neck. She glanced quickly at Snape in a silent plea.

"Come now, Lucius, you've seen enough. May I return to my rest now?" he interrupted Malfoy as he began running a hand down Hermione's arm. Much to her relief, he relented and stood.

"I'm impressed, Severus," he said coolly. "Didn't think you had it in you anymore," at his words, Hermione started. "I look forward to my next visit." After these last words, he turned and looked smugly at Hermione. "Yes, indeed."

Snape followed him back to the floo. When he was satisfied Malfoy was gone and not coming back, he returned to Hermione's room.

"You should stay here for the remainder of the night," he said in a dull voice. "You can't wander the castle this late without raising suspicions. Students are allowed in the hallways at six, you may leave anytime after that." Hermione nodded, she couldn't bring herself to speak.

He gently closed the door, leaving Hermione much wider awake than she had been since arriving, deep in thought and more than a little unnerved.

A/N: Well yeah. Sorry again. But hey…ONE WEEK UNTIL THE LAST BOOK!

AGH! It's so crazy. I read the first book almost 8 years ago, at the age of 10. It's been quite the adventure. I can't believe it's coming to a close.

So maybe I won't be done before book 7. But if you're still interested, I hope to finish this EVENTUALLY. Sorry. I really wanted to get it done before now.

Anyway, thanks to my faithful readers, even after all these months.

Cheers!