(In this chapter, I'm employing another part of my plot twist. If you're careful, you'll pick up on it. I'm anxious to hear how you feel about it though. I wasn't too sure of the idea but I like where it's going. Let me know what you think!

It's a shorter chapter. I'm trying to think of a way to incorporate Snape back into the chapters again. He's just kind of off by himself at the moment. See, when I had him drink the potion, I didn't think about how hard it would be to write about a person who doesn't FEEL. Now I'm not sure what to do with him.

I can't just have him magically create an antidote and come back to Hog- wait... Ahaha! I got it! Seriously! Right now! Oh, this will be good! But I can't put it into play until a few more chapters are finished up!

I don't own Harry Potter!)

Hermione was in luck.

The new Potions Mistress was in Snape's office on her hands and knees, scrubbing the floor the Muggle way. Upon hearing footsteps behind her, she looked and up turned, smiling as she recognized the Seventh Year. "Hermione!" Getting up, she embraced her and then stepped back. "So nice to see you again! I wish that it were under better circumstances though."

Hermione frowned. "Are the circumstances bad?"

Tonks went to draw up chairs for the two of them. "Certainly so. I was quite shocked when I came here to speak to Albus on Order business and he asked me to take the position." She furrowed her brow at the look on Hermione's face. "Surely he told you? You were the one who alerted him, weren't you? He said you were."

"I told him in a letter about the Apathementa but I didn't sign it. How did he know it was me?"

She shrugged while picking cleanser out of her thumb nail. "I dunno. He's the amazing Albus Dumbledore! He has his ways, I suppose." She chuckled. "Though, he didn't know how you found out in the first place." Her eyebrows went up in a questioning manner.

"I noticed a change in his behavior, that's all. It was around the time that I discovered the potion in a book I borrowed from the library. I matched up the symptoms but mostly went off of instinct."

She laughed this time, looking fondly at Hermione. "You're a clever witch, Hermione. You could have taken this job! Instead, he's chosen me. Sure, I can whip up a good brew or two but I've got nothing on Severus Snape."

"He will be back soon, right?"

"That much, I don't know. Apathementa is a nasty little thing and from what I was able to gather, this is his second dose. You're only supposed to take that stuff once in a lifetime." She twirled her finger in a corkscrew manner against her head. "Messes your head up if taken more than once. Albus reckoned that he would be a danger to the student body while under its influence so he sent him away."

"Until he wears off, I assume?"

She shrugged again. "Or he creates an antidote to it. We'll have to wait and see. I think Albus is planning on visiting him periodically, just to make sure that he's still partially sane. I mean, can you imagine? Living without emotions?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, I can't. Do you know where he's staying?"

"No idea. He's keeping that much under lock and key. I don't think he trusts Snape in his current condition so he wants everyone to leave him be. I assume that he's being kept at one of the unused safe houses that Albus has set up."

Being kept at? "Like a prisoner? That's not what I wanted to happen." Well… what DID I want to happen?

"Sorry, honey. You know that Albus always has something planned. I wouldn't worry too much about your Potions Master. The man is resilient."

"Is he?"

"Oh, absolutely. But I can't tell you about most of that. Order stuff, you know?"

She rolled her eyes. "But you can tell me everything that you just did?"

Tonks kicked her boots up onto the desk and crossed her legs. "Yep. I like you. Therefore, you're in my circle of knowledge. Truthfully, Hermione? I think that your little golden trio should already be initiated into the Order. We could use someone with your skills."

The compliment made Hermione flush a little. Quite often, she heard her friends tell her "good job" but it was something else completely to hear it from an accomplished Auror and a member of the Order. Normally, all she heard from them was "You're too young"!

She took note that Tonks was blushing as well. Odd… I don't think I've ever seen her turn red before.

"Thanks for the information, Tonks. I'll keep it to myself. But… why were you scrubbing the floor?"

She laughed, holding her stomach, eyes lighting up. "Have you seen how Snape kept this room? Disgusting! And as for doing it "the old fashioned way"? Sometimes it's nice to remember how hard the Muggles have to work. It's all about pride, Hermione, and a sense of accomplishment."

Nodding, Hermione giggled. Tonks was right after all.

They talked for a little more after that and Hermione was surprised at how comfortable she felt. Her stress seemed to be melting away every time Tonks laughed or smiled. The environment was so light. By no means had she forgotten about Snape, but Tonks was charismatic. It was a welcome break from the brooding man who had a terrible habit of taking off at the drop of a hat.

It got to the point that Hermione agreed to help Tonks clean out the grimy office the "old fashioned way" and she was pleased to find out that it was indeed more satisfying. Her smile was true for the first time in a while when she was with Tonks.