Sorry, really, for the really long wait, but RL got a bit bumpy for both of us (don't you hate that?)… anyways here we are again. Not a very long chappie but we didn't want to keep U waiting.

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...His nose almost touched hers when suddenly a flash of brilliant sapphire lightning cut across the sky. The flash of lightning brok the spell that has been woven around the two and they realize that they are in the mud and rain and sleet.

"Miss Granger." Severus voice was pure honey on velvet. "I suggest you clean youself up and go to the great hall ASAP!"

'yes sir," hermione said quietly, very sad that she didn't get her kiss. "I will og as soon as you put me down."

This is the first time hermoine ever saw the gruel potions master embarassed. And she enjoyed the power she has over him.

Snap made to put her down, but at that moment another carrage, the one carrying draco and his freinds pulled up. Snape whirled in a mist of black velvet to see what was comeing up behind him. (AN: Hermione was *still* in his arms! I know I shouldn't put these author notes in the sotry, but i culdn't help myself!)

It was almost completely dark (most of the torches were extinct by the violent rain) and so draco couldn't see who the dark figure was. "Well, if it isn't the Gryfindor mudblood with her newest conquest," he drawled. Somehow, despit the driving rain, draco's hair and clothing were still perfectly in place. he wore an emerald green robe with a tailered shirt under it that was chrisp white...not school robes, but with all the money his father makes, the school let him get away with it. he also had a muggle earing in his ear which gave him a really sexy look.

Snap wasn't quiet sure how to react. On the on hand, he hates Lucious Malfoy and his son, but than he's also a spy and can't afford to blow his cover.

'Mr. malofy,' Snape drwaled in an voice really similar to Malfoys, "I would tell you not to insult the head of your house...even if the school year has yet to begin and I cannot take house points from you for it."

Draco, who took the dark mark over the summer hols, has become even more of an arrogant git than before. "I didn't mean you, Sir, when I said Gryfindor mudblood," he said grinning insulently at Snap.

Snape growled deep in his throate a deep rumbling that Hermione coudl feel since she was still clutched in his strong, muscular arms. She knew that if draco said anything else, she would end up in the mud and draco would end up hexed to next sunday. Snapes heartbeat was galopping like a heard of wild horses but he controled himself (he was a spy after all). "Mr. malfoy that will be quiet enough. Report to the headmaster immediately after diner."

Snape knew that this was going to cause him troubles in the future, but he cannot let Malfoy get away with being mean to a teacher in public. Than he became acutely aware that hermoine was still in his arms and he blushed. He was glad it was so dark because he doesn't want draco to see it.

draco flaunced off with a disdainful sniff, closely followed by his friends. Snaep looked at the girl still clutched in his arms and asked, "Miss granger, can you stand on your ankel?"

He had that sort of look--she would have said yes if he asked her if she is ready to face a bunch of wild Hypogrifs. "Yes, pro-professor," she stammered.

Gentely, he set her down on the very unstable and mucky ground. Hermione turned to say something to him, but her breath caught in her throat as she took in him. His hair was plastered to his face and there were runnels of water running down his face--he looked just like he had in one of her dreams! Only he was wearing more then just a towel. But now she felt the cold come thru her clothes and so she really had to walk inside the castle. She may catch a cold and she certainly didn't want to have a red nose!

She limped back to the hall, leaving snape to stare after her. She could feel his eyes burning hoels on her back but she didn't turn around to stare at him some more. She didn't want him to know her feeligns because she knew he couldn't possibably return them.

Snape remained outside all alone, starring at the students who walked passed him.

Because snape was watching her go into the school, he was looking right at her when a arc of brilliant blue lightening crackled down to the courtyard and struck the limping girl.

At first he was to shocked to say anything or to move. But then, he became aware of what has just happened and set off at a run.

Hermion layed collapsed in a heap as Snape's shout filled the air...

AHH!!! another cliffe! I am soooooo evil still!

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Thanx to all of you who reviewed!! 11 reviews, wow we r so excited! Now, here's the shout-outs.

HunnySnowBunny: thanx for offering to beta!!! 4 the moment, were trying to improve on our own, but in case we don't we may ask you to do it. Yes, Snap is grumpy isn't he? He'll stay like that for some time… and who knows what hes wearing under those robes…

Jenna: Yessss, we're cruel but that's our job isn't it? Mwahahaha….

Chishiono Tenshi: Thanx for the con crit. Its our 1st fanfic, so it isn't perfect, we know. Plz give us time…

Moon Assassin 13: There you go, we continued—d'you still like it? Heheeee

caroline: were doing our best to be evil, so keep reading

Tabitha: Who said we stop? Just an inocent li'l cliffie…

spoof: hope that's enough suspence for you? Good point about the thoughts. We'll try. Not much thinking in this chapter…

Selina: Thanx a lot!!! No, it will be a wile until there kissing, just you wait. And theres gonna be lots of sex, just later…

Eternal Queen: Sev a player? Noooooo! Just your average baaaaad boy.

piper: yes, it took us awhile to update—hope it was worth the wait.