Through many reviews and pms I have become aware of people's confusion over last chapter. May I now take this opportunity to discuss last chapter's events? In last chapter we discovered that Severus indeed was the mysterious dancer although with a certain plot twist. Severus was indeed the dancer but as Hermione observes he is a younger Severus around 18-21in years. As she disentangles herself from their bodily embrace she attempts to come to grips with where she is only to find the club looks nothing like it did before. Therefore we may (and as author I will second this) assume that Hermione is now in Severus's past. As she makes her way from the club she can't apparate to the order's headquarters because they don't use Sirius's home as headquarters in this time (his family is still alive and he isn't even in the order yet) so she has to settle with getting a room in the leaky cauldron and waiting it out. In the middle of the night death eaters are attacking Diagon alley and she flees from the leaky cauldron in order to escape the magic caused fire that was slowly enveloping the surrounding buildings. After she makes her way into the street she realizes that death eaters are causing the chaos. They soon immerge into her line of vision and she runs from them occasionally throwing curses back at them. After turning into an alley three death eaters are following her they have their confrontation, they then chase her to the top of a roof and she falls to her death. She wakes up discovers it was dream, but we realize it was not because she has a gash from Snape. We later hear from Severus's POV (point of view) that Hermione has been convinced by fellow order members that it was all a hallucination caused by a melt-down brought on by her stress and grief. Severus knows however that it isn't a hallucination because his memories are changing. He told Dumbledore before about this and Dumbledore believes him but has decided to lie to Hermione any way. Severus thinks (and as author I second this) that Hermione is being pulled back into time by his magic he although he doesn't know why he suspects that Voldemort is behind it all. Hermione believes that it was all a hallucination and therefore becomes uneasy with thoughts of Severus. She believes that his part in her hallucination was brought on by some subconscious crush on her professor. coughing fit ehem clears throat meaningfully while waggling eyebrows ok, well on with summery! As the group of kids is finally allowed out of order's headquarters in order to shop for school supplies. Snape and Hermione are paired up and barely speak as they do their shopping. Hermione is left in the street of nocturne alley while Snape shops in one of the shadier of shops (she never sees what exact shop he enters) when she catches sight of him she realizes that he is young and angry again. They have a chase and Hermione ends up pinned to a wet, damp, stone wall by his hand around her throat.

She was soaking wet from the rain and her clothes hung on her, mimicking her frame almost acting like a second skin. It was getting hard to breath but that was the worst of her problems. She didn't know this Severus Snape at all but the one that she knew wasn't exactly warm and huggable.

"Who the hell are you?" he hissed well at least he didn't have bad breath….

Hermione didn't know how to answer, to tell the truth or to stall or to spit in his face she was leaning towards the last choice with the way he was handling her throat

"Answer me!" He was angry oh he was ANGRY it was like being trapped under a boulder while a starving tiger roared at you, spitting on him didn't seem like such a good idea…

"Speak! Are you dumb?!" Stars where interrupting her vision and she couldn't quite see anything clearly. She was getting dizzy and didn't seem to be able to think clearly, her eyes frequently fluttered closed without her permission. Hearing her small pathetic gasps for air he loosened his grip on her throat allowing her more oxygen. Hermione gasped and clawed at his hand willing his iron grip away so to be free to breathe.

"Okay let's start this over again, who the hell are you and how did you manage to not die falling off of a building 5 stories off the ground?"

"Why are you a Death Eater Mr.Snape or should I say Master Snape how old are you 15?" ok that was a really stupid bluff he looks 23 nowhere near his teens and the fact I look like a 12 year old boy wouldn't really cause him to be intimidated by me… mentioning age wasn't a very good strategy.

"My age has nothing to do with this issue I want answers witch and I am going to get them!" if only his legs would move back an inch I might be able to get my wand…

"Whatever you think I am going to spill my guts to one of-"

-gulp-

"-Voldemort's little boy scouts?" Okay muggle reference wasn't such a good idea he probably won't get-

"Do you dare mock the Dark Lord's name in my presence-?"

"Well that is just what I did, didn't I? Man I guess they don't have adequate health care for death eaters if they can't even hear-"

All of a sudden his hand drew back and struck her right on her cheek bone. Causing her skin to purple immediately and her eyes to fill with tears.

"You are a COWARD! A pathetic, weak coward who hurts children and hits women!" He paused at her impassioned speech a faraway look in his eyes, his hand also loosened slightly at her throat. Hermione kicked him in the male reproductive area and ran. Digging her wand out of the back of her bra Hermione sprinted nowhere in particular hoping to escape him in her frenzied state. 15 minutes later not catching a glimpse of him she mad her way back to the leaky Cauldron.

Still wet and slightly dripping Hermione made her way up to the bar laying her head on the table after she was seated.

"You look like you need a fire whiskey" Tom said softly smiling sadly as he said it, reaching out to her hand.

"Ummm no but thank you…."

"No money? It's one the house sweet heart…"

"No sir, thank you for your kindness but I'm not quite used to the errr taste yet…"

"How old are you lassie?"

"I'm almost 18 sir"

He chuckled softly at this

"I spose you never snuck a drink before you turned 17 did you?" Hermione blushed scarlet was it so obvious to every one she leaned slightly towards being a goody goody?

"No sir…"

"Alright well would you be interested in a butterbeer my good lassie?"

"Yes, I do have money though-"

"No, no it is on the house sweet heart."

A couple seconds later tom had a mug of steaming butter beer in front of her. He stood there, staring at her expectantly as if waiting for something to happen. Hermione felt nervous as she grasped the mug with her hands wondering what she needed to do, did he think she was part of a secret society and she needed to make a hand signal of sorts. Perhaps it was poisoned or dosed with Veritaserum which didn't seem like Tom but she really didn't know the man. After taking a couple sips and not feeling dizzy or overwhelming urged to tell the truth about the man who was wearing a rather bad toupee what she really thought. After having a couple more sips and tom having a few chit chat conversations with random people Tom returned to speaking to Hermione.

"What is your name kido?"

"Hermione." This way she would actually answer to her name …

"How do you know Snape?" Oh shit!

"I mean you look like a good girl and you two come tearing in here him chasing you an' you looked terrified, I mean what trouble are you in Hermione that you have-" he leaned over, his hands placed on the wooden bar top his face closes to hers

"- a Death Eater chasing after you?" whispered Tom fatherly concern echoing in his mocha brown eyes

"Umm, well he and a couple other Death Eaters corned me when they were attacking Diagon Alley but I managed to escape and he saw me today in the street and was cchasing me, I managed to give him the slip again…."

"Oh poor girl now they are targeting little girls –no offense"

"non taken"

"-the cowards are now targeting our children well most of the new Death Eaters are mere children…" he shook his head

"If you need anything just let me know ok girl?"

"Umm Mister errr Tom, could you find a way for me to meet Albus Dumbledore?"

"Please Tom, Why- Never mind it's your business, you just need to send him an owl and he will arrange something, if you need a job or anything I can offer you something here, but there is also an opening at the apothecary for a counter girl. The owner prefers females they are less likely to be aggressive towards customers"

"Well that's sexist!"

"Well, it is more low profile than here; sometimes Death Eaters come in for drinks and meet sometimes in the rooms. You might be safer spending less time here."

"Thank you Tom, I will see about the job at the Apothecary later. I suppose I will go to send Professor Dumbledore an owl thank you."

"Alright be careful he might have come back, if any one gives you trouble head here I'll take care of them."

"Thank you Tom."

"Be back by 11 so I know you are ok."

"Alright, see you Tom."

3 days later Dumbledore met with Hermione. After 4 and a half hours of talking –Hermione heavily guarding the future's secrets from Dumbledore's curiosity and line of questioning- Hermione was arranged to continue out the remaining week and a half, were she will then be transferred to 7th year and she will attempt to find out what is taking her here and what she must do. Her name was to be Hermione Agatha Grey and she had previously been home schooled until her parents died this summer. The week and a half was uneventful with no death eaters and enough money was earned for school books and robes. When the time came Hermione was nervous and hesitant to leave Tom and the Leaky Cauldron. Although it gave her a sense of safety she knew she would feel better when she got to Hogwarts so she wouldn't have to keep looking over her shoulder for Severus Snape or the demon that inhabited his body in this time.

Hermione as was usual to her custom arrived at the platform 45 minutes ahead. But with the exception of 1st year Hermione did not know any one but this year she didn't even have her parents by her side. Watching friends laughing and embracing made her realize how much she missed her friends. Many pangs later and through a handkerchief or two the train finally arrived. Eager at the thought of hiding behind a book and not immerging for 3 or 4 hours, Hermione grabbed her trunk and made her way to the train. As she struggled with her luggage (she was attempting to organize them and control all 4 of them at one time in the air) she heard Harry. Luggage forgotten she spun around to where she heard his voice. There was Harry laughing with a couple other boys while trying to do the same with his luggage. As relief washed over her (she had a friend!) she paused to look at his friends. There were 2 other boys with Harry laughing gesturing madly (doing the male bonding thing) one was similar in height and had his hair in a pony tail-much in the fashion of bills only being black as ink. The other boy was smaller than the other boys and looked to be at least 2 years younger. He was chubby and seemed to be the odd man out. Hermione began approaching Harry and his two acquaintances when someone tugged on her arm. She turned around only to be greeted by a chest she looked up into a friendly with brown eyes that glinted yellow. But this kind face was familiar and caused Hermione's blood to run cold. This man, um, boy was Remus Lupin and the boys over there were Peter Sirius and James. Which meant that lily was here. This all meant that she had to be very careful about what she did. But all these kind familiar adults turned peers did not cause her fright. It meant that somewhere on this platform or on this train was Severus Snape and for Hermione that was a very bad thing indeed.

"I haven't you around here before, new face or blossomed colleague?" said Remus -whoa I didn't'

Know Remus was a flirt!

"Um, new face, Hermione Grey and…?"

"Oh this ol thing is Remus Lupin Brainy gorgeous prefect with rather hairy legs!" Yelled Sirius putting Lupin in a head lock

"I-" Declared Sirius chest puffed out

"-am Sirius-" He bowed making graceful sweeping hand motioned as he did

"Black at your service-" he said as he plucked her hand from her side

"-anything for such lovely face" he murmured as he gently kissed her hand. Never breaking eye-contact throughout his performance he smiled devilishly at her. Hermione was sorely tempted to cry and to form a 'sirius' crush on the young black. He was sly and intelligent not to mention gorgeous. And then the whole thing of him being tantalizingly hot. He was definitely a heart breaker.

After raising an eyebrow and laughing softly Hermione gently pulled her hand from his grasp while reassuring him if she was ever in need of a strong male to guide her she would call out his name. Sirius was about to counter back when James galloped forward and grabbed his best friends arm and twirled him around. He then went on in one breath about Evans and how magnificently gorgeous she was and how in order to continue her good view of him he needed to remain with her the rest of the trip. Sirius thoroughly mock scolded James for being insatiably rude and not introducing himself. After a hurriedly "Potter, James" and a chorused "Call him Jamsie!" Sirius was off on James for abandoning his mates for a woman. "I mean Evans is irresistibly gorgeous and brilliant and funny and fantastic and wonderful and amazing but wait……I love Evans! Evans? Lily! Oh, Lily Flower! Do love me for this flea bag of a potato sack is nothing compared to me! We shall have beautiful offspring you and I Evans! I mean his hair doesn't even- gettoffmeah!" Thus James and Sirius began to fight with Remus scolding and peter cheering them on. Hermione took this as her cue to leave.

Levitating her bags into the nearest compartment that wasn't too large or on the end of the car Hermione plopped down with several books on potions on her lap. If Severus Snape was going to be in her class she was going to prove to him that she was his intellectual equal (and make sure she was highest in the class, in every class). The train ride was very useful for studying up but not on social interaction. Apparently she had chosen the correct car to sit in because she didn't see another human being (except the lunch cart lady) the whole trip. Light gave way to darkness and soon stars glittered outside the window. 3 neck cricks 4 fallen asleep limbs and one growling stomach later the train stopped. Hermione hastily changed into her school robes and levitated her luggage outside of the window. Stumbling and tripping her way through the crowd Hermione attempted to come to sorts with which direction she needed to go in. But her dilemma was soon solved when one very large hand came from the swarm and yanked her out of the crowd. She wanted to cry for joy when she saw Hagrid but she realized he didn't know her. He quickly explained that she was to go into Hogwarts with the first years. This time when the small fleet of boats glided through the pitch black water she wasn't looking for a frog. It felt so strange for her to experience it all over again. As the boats inched forward towards the castle Hermione realized if -no when! - she got back she would have gone to Hogwarts for 8 years! It was over all too soon the reliving of her 11 year old hopes and fears all in one little boat ride. She clambered up the side of the bank for the second time in her life. Waited in the room where everyone giggled and whispered while Professor McGonagall. She felt almost naughty for knowing what was going on in the other room. The fact that she knew that there were no banshees involved with the sorting and no one had to perform magic in front of the school. But part of her didn't want to quell their fears, she didn't want them to know what was going to happen, she wanted them to experience it like every other class before them (and funny they really weren't younger that her, they were actually older than her) and after them. So she waited like the rest of them for them to be ushered into the hall.

She smiled as she heard their gasps and exclamations at the hall and its ceiling as they traveled through the hall, no longer aware of all the school's eyes on them. She tried not to think of him seeing her and seizing up with anger. Perhaps snarling and murmuring to his other classmates to hate her. But she felt no angry gaze upon her, she heard cruel whispers. All of a sudden standing on one side of the hall waiting to be called (for the second time) she felt vulnerable. She stuck out. She couldn't hide behind someone taller or sink into the floor. She was too tall, too old. She seemed to be swimming under water as she walked up to the hat. Sitting on the stool she remembered being so big. The hat covering her eyes began to whisper softly in her ear.

"Hello Miss. Granger how are you dear girl? Now let's see…. Yes wonderful mind, bravery of course mmmhmm now isn't that interesting? The need to prove your worth, loyalty, honesty, ohhh but we can manipulate can't we? You could join Hufflepuff and make that house great or perhaps do Gryffindor again hmm? Or should we place you in Ravenclaw have you thoroughly worshipped and despised for your mind…..? And then there is always another choice… a very interesting experience it could be in Slytherin and you could be closer to him you know…. You say you don't want to be? But Miss. Granger it is all here in your head, part of you desperately wants to know. To unravel the puzzle to discover what is hiding under all that self control and cool veneer… and in that house you could be closer to him… you could also unravel the inner workings of the Slytherin mind, it might help you in the war to be thrown into the snake pit…why so weary Miss. Granger? It will show you many things but then what do you value more? What do you want more? The known and comfortable, acceptance, fame or perhaps, Severus Snape?

Review and tell me.