Hermione took a deep breath. She was ready. She could do this. It had taken her a week to decide, a week to think it over. That week had been full of sorrow, ecstasy, and emotion. It had been a week of nightmares, tears, and half-formed thoughts. Hermione still wasn't sure about her answer, but she had to tell him something. She had to give an answer. Her eyes searched Snape's dungeon for his untidy, black hair. Ah, there he was! His eyes were on his dung beetles. His strong, powerful arms were crushing them into a fine powder. Hermione blushed as she watched him working. He was so strong and intelligent. "You're intelligent, too," she reminded herself, "and your arms aren't half bad."
Slowly Hermione poured her powder into the vial. She mixed it in with the other ingredients until it had completely dissolved. Oh, why couldn't life be as easy as mixing a potion? Then again, Neville would have it pretty hard if life was like that. Hermione walked over to Harry's table. Harry was still stirring in his beetle powder. He didn't look up. "I've been thinking," said Hermione. Her voice was strong, but it wavered as though she was going to burst into tears.
"I've been thinking about what you said," she went on. The waver wouldn't leave.
Harry looked up. His eyes, his beautiful, green eyes, were strong and bright. They stared at Hermione. Determined, she stared back. Their eyes were locked as Hermione spoke once more, "I've decided. My answer is..."
Just then a deep, draining cold swept over Hermione. She was silent for a moment. In that moment, a tall man appeared at her side. "Something you'd like to share with the class...Hermione?" Snape towered over Hermione. His eyes were cold and suspicious, "We're all dying to hear... Your 'answer'."
Hermione fell silent. She looked up into Snape's blue-gray eyes and said, "Then die."
"Was that an insult? Or a mere refusal to follow my orders? Whichever, it has earned you detention. Now, get out of my class!"
Hermione stood. She gathered her books and handed her full vial to Snape. Calmly she walked from the class. But, just as she was leaving, she slipped a sheet of parchment onto Harry's desk. Snape had turned to torture Neville, so he didn't see Harry unfold the parchment. He didn't see Harry's eyes widen, or hear his quiet gasp as he read the word...Yes