Thanks so much, Wrenny! I probably would not have given this a thought without having some feedback. *does a lil happy dance*

To anyone reading, no, this is not a chaptered story. The first was meant to stand alone before I thought otherwise, and now we have part two. No plans for a part three, but you never know. Thanks for your time!

Part 2: To Make it Better by Dienne Herlsif

At the end of her fourth year, Hermione found out just to which side Snape was loyal, and that, in fact, he had been on the side of light since before she was born. She then started to notice other bits of interest about Hogwarts' Potions Master. His concentration and awareness never wavered. He had an enormous, brooding presence and could grasp someone's attention with just one sarcastically witty statement. His speech and knowledge of potions gave just a tiny glimpse into his brilliant mind.

And Hermione suspected he had a one of his rather large hands in on the downfall of Voldemort. Something about the story Harry relayed hadn't made sense, was rattled off just a little too fast. If that was the case, then God knows how many other acts of the light Snape should have gotten credit for. Alright, so she was becoming infatuated with him. By seventh year she would admit that, if only to herself. But after the fall of Voldemort, she noticed one undeniable fact. He was exhausted.

Sure he was doing well at hiding it, but after years of watching, she could tell. And the staff had noticed, too, it seemed. They'd approach him and he would just shrug them off, too tired to think up a sarcastic retort. That was definitely not good. So when Dumbledore announced this dance, Hermione's heart skipped a beat. If she could manage to keep an ear out for an appropriate song...

Hey, Jude, don't make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better

Sad as it once seemed, Hermione loved the same music as her parents. The Beatles had easily become her favorite, and it was just her luck this particular one started playing about the time she and Snape found each other on the dance floor. She knew he couldn't turn her down. As Head Girl, she was expected to have a dance with all the male teachers, just as a formality.

Harry and Ron knew she had to have at least one dance. However, they were certainly not in the loop of her ulterior motives. She stole a quick glance at them and found them engrossed in a flirtfest with a group of girls. Good. They didn't have to see the current smile on her face.

Hey, Jude, don't be afraid
You were made to go out and get her
The minute you let her under your skin
Then you begin to make it better

When her eyes returned to proper contact, Hermione kept her smile but switched tracks in her train of thought. He was an amazing dancer. She had enough ability to manage, but it was easy under his lead. This was much better than dancing with Harry or Ron, and not even comparable to Neville's clumsy feet.

There was so much no one knew about this teacher. Granted, most of the teachers were rather distant when concerning their personal lives, but, seriously, if they were even down the block distant, this man was quasar-distant. He kept himself colder and further off than was likely good for him.

And any time you feel the pain, hey, Jude, refrain
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders
For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool
By making his world a little colder

If she wanted to bridge that quasar-distance, she'd have to be more than serious about it. He was looking rather closed tonight, as usual. However there was something about him she couldn't put her finger on. Something in the way he held that eye contact without a scowl or a sneer, as she would expect Paul McCartney to recieve right about now.

da da da da, da da da da
Hey, Jude! Don't let me down
You have found her, now go and get her
Remember, to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better

Interesting. Maybe there was hope for this man to have some happiness. He'd just have to let her into his heart. She nearly giggled at the thought, but then she took a look into his eyes again and they were much lighter than she remembered. Those eyes weren't black, as most of her classmates suspected, but a very dark brown. And currently, they were conveying some confusion. And then irony, rage, frustration, and finally hope. Hermione suddenly could not breathe.

She had to do just one thing more. No matter what would happen after, if anything, there was just one certain motion she had to make, to tell him something of what she felt.

So let it out and let it in, hey, Jude, begin
You're waiting for someone to perform with
And don't you know that it's just you, hey, Jude,
You'll do, the movement you need is on your shoulder

Once again she saw in his eyes confusing and then hope. Oh, Lord, this could get interesting. Daring a most risky dare, Hermione decided it was time to start humming.

da da da da, da da da da, yeah

How come she had never noticed the expressiveness of his eyes? She was bold out staring at him, humming the song being something of an involuntary motion anyway. It seemed there were further internal conflicts related to that daring of hers... heh, she really was a Gryffindor, after all. No wonder he was mostly angry.

Hey, Jude, don't make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her under your skin
Then you begin to make it better
better, better, better, better, better, oh yeah!

He was thinking with all his brainpower at that moment, she could tell, and she would simply continue to hum the song in patience. She knew very well she had the upper hand at the moment, and her heart soared. He would not refuse her help to make it better.

da da da da da da da, da da da da, hey jude...