A/N: I'm baaaaack! Mwahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyhow, I'll try not to make this *too* long, just a reply I want to make to some of my reviews…

Strega Brava said: I hereby dub thee the Queen of Cliffhangers. ::collapses on floor clutching heart::

BTW...love the new word and I am going to use it here. Amazellent. Really nicely done!

My Reply: Oh, thank you, thank you… I like my word as well. Glad that you do too. Hrmmm…. And I like my new name, too! Miracle, Queen of Cliffhangers… yes it has a certain… *ring* to it, don't you think? =)


Strega Brava said: Severus just needs a good, swift kiss on the lips.

My Reply: And I would be very willing to give it to him. If he would let me, that is… ::refuses to believe that he isn't real::

Strega Brava said: Next chapter please!!

My reply: Coming right up! Would you like fries with that, m'am?

***

Lataradk said: "It was worth waiting for, this chapter. Poor Hermione, having to deal with an enraged Snape _and_ a broken heart. I liked the flashback to a younger and less bitter and guarded Severus, and the fact that Gabriella wasn't that famous. (It should give Hermione a challenge in finding out who she was, 'cause I'm sure Hermione is bright enough to add two and two together from the first meeting with Snape and his behaviour now. She might want to use it to get back to him - or to understand him better. Or very Hermione-like, just to sate her curiousity).

Vimh: Wanna know what happens next? Fresh out of Miracle's mind?

Me: Wouldn't that be cheating?

Vimh: Yeah, but think of it as rent for staying with you.

Me: Aww, you don't have to pay for that, it's a pleasure! We could discuss Homer ... *realizes the death glare from Miracle* Somewhere else."

My Reply: Hey, Lataradk! I'm glad you liked the chapter. Especially the flashback. I was afraid too many people would be mad at me for that because it's very OOC and he already *is* rather OOC in this story. So happy you picked up on the fact that he was *supposed* to be that way, because this means other people may as well. Believe me... Hermione know more about Gabriella than you think *Much* more. =) Erm, Vimh? Sorry to remind you, but you only know the old version of the story.

Vimh: What? But-

Me: My muses currently have the only copy of the real version. They're working on it, putting the finishing touches on all of it and tying up lose ends.

Vimh: Drat those muses.

Me: ::grin:: ::to audience:: As well as Vimh and Vimhaletta, I also have three muses, who are the ones that actually *give* me the ideas for stories. They also help do all my editing and such. I think they're wonderful!

Vimh: They're a pain in the arse.

Me: ::grin:: Vimh and Vimhaletta hate them. Anyhow, I'm no longer fed up with Homer, so you may discuss it here. And Vimh? Time to come home now. You've been welcomed back to my head. Come over!

Vimh: Oh, I'm quite fine here. I'll just stay, OK?

Me: NOW!

Vimh: Yes, m'am. OK, m'am. ::come back to Miracle's head::

Me: Much better. ::locks him back in his room::

Vimh: Hey!!!

Me: Stay there for now. When I'm done with the chapter you can come out.

Vimh: No good… ::grumble, grumble::… evil…::grumble, grumble::… new head… ::grumble, grumble::…

Me: And now, the story!

Disclaimer at bottom.

A Teacher's Resentment, a Student's Request

Two years passed by quickly.

Draco Malfoy disappeared from Hogwarts in his sixth year. Severus saw him at the next Death Eater meeting, where he stood proudly next to his father. At the same meeting, Severus was revealed- by Lucius Malfoy, forever obsessed with being first in his Master's eyes.  Severus had managed to escape, though. He still didn't know quite sure how, just as he wasn't sure how Lucius had found out about him. He had a hunch, though, that he must have had more than one or two slips and that Lucius must have caught on. But that was just about where his life as a spy had ended. He had been sure that that would be when he'd have to leave Hogwarts as well, but Dumbledore had let him stay. Why he did not know, but then again, he wasn't complaining, either.

Hermione excelled in her studies as usual. She had been working with McGonagall over the past year and a half or so on being an animagus- at least, that was what Severus could tell from listening to conversations in the teacher's lounge. Also according to what Severus had overheard, she had been making fast progress and was almost done with her studies. Soon she'd be ready to transform for the first time. Severus couldn't help but wonder what her animal counterpart would be. But he hadn't joined in the excited discussions of Lupin (he'd come back as D.A.T.D.A. professor, much to Severus's… *disappointment*.* Let's just say he stormed about for days and even Dumbledore couldn't get a word out of him that hadn't dripped with sarcasm. When the students came back at the start of term, they were more terrified than ever of the man) and McGonagall as they talked about their brightest student and the Head Girl of Hogwarts. He never talked about Hermione, often pretending the girl didn't exist. When he did say a word to her in classes, it was to scold her for helping Longbottom or something or other like that. Petty things that didn't really matter. But, if nothing else, Severus Snape was a man who held a grudge. And the one he held against Hermione could very well be ranked with the long-standing one for the Potters.

It didn't help that every time he looked at the girl, she reminded him of Gabriella. Bloody hell, they could have been twins for all he could say. He avoided her whenever he could. He didn't need a *human* reminder of what he'd lost. He already had memories for that.

            Graduation day neared. Finally, there was less than a week left, and Hermione would be graduating as valedictorian and Head Girl- with grades that rivaled McGonagall herself. Severus had scowled and muttered something that sounded distinctly like, "Of course? Why not? Give the damn girl an Order of Merlin, why don't you? And just make it first class while you're at it!" McGonagall overheard this, though, and she couldn't help but smirk at the fact that *Severus Snape* seemed to be jealous of a *Gryffindor.* When she said half as much to the man, though, he'd angrily denied it and stormed out grumbling about papers to grade for the next day- which was utter nonsense since it was a Saturday. Severus didn't realize his mistake until later. It did *not* improve his mood.

            It wasn't that he didn't *see* the bags under Hermione's eyes. He saw them, you can be sure of that. He also saw how the girl was never really herself in class. She never raised her hand, never defied him like she used to (though, for the sake of sanity, Severus often convinced himself that he saw anger in them from time to time). She'd become submissive, meek, a quiet shadow of her former self. Her potions were still by far the best in the class, but she no longer held a familiar burning pride in her eyes at them. She'd use to hold a bright enthusiastic love for learning. Now, it seemed to have become more of a "just get the job done" sort of thing. Of course, it wasn't as bad for the rest of her classes, but the other professors had been talking about the girl frequently, worried for her. Her love for learning had faded a bit for each class. Even McGonagall had mentioned once or twice that she missed the keen, eager mind of the Head Girl, even while she boasted about the girl's speed in her animagus studies.

            Yes, Severus had noticed. And he had seen. But he refused to accept. Or at least, to acknowledge the fact that he had anything to do with her behavior. He treated her just as he used to; with harsh, scalding sarcasm, and impossible to reach grades. One day, though, a certain student decided to tell Hogwart's stubborn Potions Master just exactly how far it had gotten.

~*~*~

Severus Snape loomed over the seventh years. "If you cared any bit about your grades, which is highly doubtable, I would suggest that you read the homework tonight. I expect you to be working on your own tomorrow. There will be absolutely *no* helping each other in tomorrow's class." He glared at Hermione, who looked away, anger on her face. At least, that was what he told himself it was. *Severus, you idiot,* he chided himself. *Of course that's what it is! You're insane to think it could be pain.* He turned his head to the other half of the classroom, clearing his thoughts. "Class dismissed!" He barked, sending the seventh years off in a flutter of papers.

All except one.

Severus sat down at his desk, ready to start grading papers for the evening. A student with untidy black hair and green eyes that now were sparkling stubbornly walked up to his desk. He looked up from the essays at the sound of a throat being cleared. He sighed inwardly and scowled.

"No, Potter, you don't have detention today. For once you managed to do an acceptable job in my class. Now please, get out."

"No. Professor I-" His voice cracked. Severus felt like chuckling. To substitute, he merely raised an eyebrow. His seventh year and Potter was still intimidated by his potions teacher as if he were eleven. He watched as the younger man took a breath and strengthened his resolve. "Sir, I have a request," he said simply.

"No, Potter, I *won't* raise your grades unless you earn them. You are dismissed." He returned to his grading.

"This isn't about me, Professor!" Harry nearly yelled, frustrated.

"That's a first." Severus didn't look up.

"Would you listen!" It was more of a shout than a question.

He looked up this time, eyebrows raised. "*Tone*, Potter." He watched him, waiting for him to continue.

Harry calmed down a bit. "It's about Hermione." Severus blinked at the mention of the girl, and his scowl deepened, but he said nothing, waiting for the younger man to continue. "Look. I know you have some personal vendetta against me and my father. But that's no reason to be cruel to my *friends!* They haven't done anything wrong. Why don't you give them a break in class? Especially Hermione! You're horrible to her in class!"

"If Miss Granger has a problem in my class, it is no one's fault but herself. If she will not allow others to learn on their-"

"Oh, that's bull, Professor, and you know it!"

 Had the boy really just interrupted him to use that sort of language? "I had no idea your language could be so... *colorful,* Potter. Tell me, would you like me to give you one detention as well as taking away ten points from your house?"

Harry's eyes narrowed. "Fine," he hissed. "Don't listen. I shouldn't have wasted my breath." He turned around to leave, but stopped, turned back, and said, rather sarcastically: "Did you know? She cries herself to sleep. You're such a bastard to her in class, that she hasn't ever gone one night of sleep without tears. Why she gives such a damn, I don't know, but she does. Just thought you might like knowing." He turned to leave again, and started walking towards the door with his things.

"And how might you know this, Potter? Sneaking into girls' dormitories… Has McGonagall heard?"

Harry rounded on him. This time, he really *did* yell. "The whole of bloody Gryffindor Tower knows it!!! It's a miracle that *McGonagall* doesn't know yet! She's been doing it for two years straight, and it got worse this year. Ever since the middle of our fifth year, I have had to see my best friend suffer and not be able to do anything about it, because for some reason, God knows *what,* she blames herself for not up to *your* bloody impossible standards. And the fact that *you* don't give a damn… Well, I guess we all knew what kind of person you were now, didn't we? No matter *what* side you say you're on. Good day, Professor Snape." With that, the boy turned on his heel, and walked out the door with a slam.

And Professor Severus Snape, rather abashed, returned to his essays, not really reading them as he marked them all with C's.

He couldn't *wait* until graduation day.

*~*~*

Disclaimer: I do not own anything, save the plot. Oh, and Gabriella in a kinda, sorta, off-hand way. OK? Understood???? Very good.

 You are dismissed.

Thank you for attending Miracle's Class of Highly Annoying, Pointless Disclaimers and Such.

Don't forget to do your homework and review!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

::grin:: Hugs to all my reviewers and readers that have made it this far in the story, by the way. I mean. If you're this far, that must mean you like it! I know I don't mention you all. It's partly because I'm too lazy and partly because I don't have time… Sorry! But do know that I love the reviews. They make me sooo happy when I'm blue…. Or red or green for that matter (!?!?). Thank you!

Oh, and thanks to Lataradk, my wonderful beta! Special hugs, Lataradk!

REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!