Disclaimer: Anything Harry Potter belongs to JKR.  I, sadly, do not own any of it.  The only thing I own is Atilla.  The titles are from the song I'm a Believer by Neil Diamond.  Again if you recognize something as yours, please let me know so that I can acknowledge it. 

a/n: thank you everyone who reviewed, I am so glad that you like this story.  I am so sorry it has taken so long for me to post a new chapter.  I will try to not take so long again.  Like I promised this will be mostly Severus and Hermione writing to each other, but there will be some other stuff in here too.  Please review if you have any comments on this let me know, even flames are accepted, though they will only be used to light fireworks for Nov. 5th.  Happy Halloween!!

Now, on with the story.

a/n: reminder italics are Hermione and bold is Severus

Hello?

Is anybody there?

Yes, I'm here.

________________________________

Oh, umm. Hi.

You said that already.

Right, sorry, it's just that I am not sure what to write, and I had a bad experience with this journal last night.

I understand, my experience was not pleasant either.

Your journal name isn't Aphrodite by any chance is it?

Ugh, no!

Good, what is it by the way?

Cassandra.  You don't go by Ajax do you?

Gods, No.  Especially if your name is Cassandra. I am Hades. 

Hmm, the God of the Underworld.  One who likes privacy, very interesting.

Wait… you know who Ajax and Cassandra are? 

Of course, I do read Greek mythology.  Cassandra is the tragic seer from the Trojan War.  Ajax raped her in the temple of Athena where she had gone for safety.  Later the gods killed Ajax for such a crime.  What made you choose such a "happy" character for your name?

For two reasons; the first is because the people that Cassandra calls friends and family never listen to her advice.  They continue to participate in rash and immature activities; then unfortunate events occur.  I know that sounds a bit sappy, but I often feel that way with my friends. 

Hmm.  And the second reason?

Well, it was the first name that came into my head last night.  Then after I thought about it for a while I realized the name worked. 

Just as long as you didn't choose it because you are a seer. 

No worries there.  I was once told that I don't have any aura by a professor, so I don't even try to see the future.

So, why did you choose Hades for a name?  It isn't much more cheerful than mine.

Severus paused here.  Why did he choose Hades for a name.  That took some thought.

Well?

Hades is a very private god, one who stays away from other people; he does no mix with the other gods, likes living deep in the earth.  He is not actually evil, but is feared so much that the Greeks wouldn't even speak his name.  Looking at all those traits I find we have much in common.  Does that answer your question?

So, you're a god?

I don't know that I am a god, but I am sure my students probably think I am a devil. 

I am sure we all had professors like that, I did. 

I know I did.

So, you teach.  Where?  What?

If I told you that you would be able to figure out who I am and at this time I would rather remain anonymous.

I can relate to that, I will try not to ask personal questions then. 

And you, what do you do for a living?

Like you, if I told what my job you would be able to find out who I am.  I can tell you that I work for the Ministry though. 

The Ministry?  I can't say that is on the top of my list of places to work.

I didn't say that I enjoy it there.  I would jump at another job, but it is not bad and it lets me do what I love best. 

But let's talk about something else. Since I can't tell you my actual job; I can't tell you what it is I love best. 

That makes sense.  So, what do people talk about in these things?

I'm not sure, the man I was paired with before you wished to talk about things that are really no one's business.

I'm sorry.  All the woman I talked with wanted to discuss was love and assisting in matchmaking.   

Wow, that sounds almost painful to discuss. 

It was. 

I get the feeling that you don't really help anyone in the matchmaking department. 

How ever did you know?

Lucky guess… I guess. 

I admit, I am not one much for small chat.  I do have one question though. 

Go ahead.

Why are you using this journal programme?  What possessed you to sign up for it?

Well, to tell the truth, I didn't.  Those friends of mine who never listen to me; they signed me up.  Then they made me promise that I would do this for a month.  I never would have signed up for anything like this.  What about you?

I did not sign up for this either.  Believe me, this blatant attempt to throw one's self at others is not something I would ever think of. 

I begin to see why they put us together.  We certainly think alike in some ways.  If nothing else, we probably wouldn't get on with most other people in this programme. 

This could be true.  We never did decide on what was discussed in these journals. 

I am muggle born and have some experience on muggle computers I could try and find out. 

That might work. 

Right, I'll see what I can find.  Have a good evening.

The same to you.

Hermione closed the journal setting it on her coffee table.  "Well Atilla, that went much better than last night.  I don't think I will be getting an owl notice saying I have a new partner tomorrow."  Atilla looked at Hermione and yawned.  "You're right, it's bed time.  Let's go." 

___________________________________

"Master, we found him." 

"Good, and did you follow him like I asked?"

"Yes Master, he spent a little time in Diagon Alley, then apparated." 

"Continue to follow him, see what he does, where he goes, who he talks to.  I want to know it all.  Then once we have enough information, we will strike."

"Yes Master."

___________________________________

"Harry, what are you doing here?  I wasn't expecting you."

"Obviously," Harry grinned looking around the room at the mess of books all over the floor.  "What are you doing Hermione, it looks like you let a Niffler loose in your living room."

"I'm trying to get more ideas for my potion to reduce the effects of the Imperius curse.  I'm just not having any luck.  Did you need something?  Because if not I really need to pick up these book."

"Here, I'll help.  I just came by to visit.  How's the journal coming along?"  He bent over and scooped some books onto a nearby bookshelf.

"Harry, if you and Ron ever do anything like that again I will make you test some of my potions, and I don't promise to have an antidote on hand."  Hermione took the books back off the shelf, and set them up neatly.

"That's evil Hermione; it's not that bad is it?"

 "It certainly was, do you know that the first man I talked to only wanted "cyber sex" I think is what the muggles call it." 

"Oh gosh, I'm sorry Hermione, if I'd known it would be like that… wait, you said it was bad, is the journal not so bad now?  Have you found someone to talk to?"

"Harry if you think I have found my true love, then you need to be in St. Mungo's.  I have talked to someone who I got a long with okay though.  We have only talked once, but it wasn't horrible."

"Really?  Oh wait until I tell Ron.  Hermione's made a friend, he'll probably pass out from shock."

"Oh thanks, some friend you are.  Look Harry, what do people talk about in these things?  I went and checked the muggle internet and all they seem to talk about there is dumb things like what your favourite colour is, or they talk about sex."

"I think, what they try to do is find something that both people have in common and discuss that."

"Hmm." 

"Look Hermione, I have to run, but Ginny, Ron, Parvati and I were wondering if you wanted to come out with us next Saturday."

"Maybe, I'll think about it Harry, really I will."

"Alright, have a good day, and good luck with the potion."

"Thanks, bye Harry."  Hermione looked around the room at the stacks of books on the floor.  Shrugging she waved her wand at the books, and as they started putting themselves on the shelves she picked up the Journal and began to write.

____________________________________________

Hades, are you there?

Time passes.

Obviously not.  Well, I just wanted to let you know that I found out what it is that people write about in these journals.  I can't say that I was very impressed.  Apparently the big subjects to talk about are favourites; such as what is your favourite colour, food, city, etc.  Or they talk about sex.  Seeing as neither of these topics interest me I thought we might try something a bit different.  I'm just not sure what.  Do you have any suggestions? 

I hope that you had a good day.

Cassandra

Severus walked into his living room and saw the journal on the table, he had left it laying open.  Looking down he saw that there was new writing in it.  Wondering if Cassandra was still there he wrote back.

_____________________________________________

Hermione shut the door to her flat, and set the bags of groceries down.  She didn't have to go to the store to get food but she liked to, it brought back fond memories of childhood.  After putting her food away she walked into the living room and glanced at the Journal on the coffee table. Atilla was batting at it, swishing her tail.  "What's up girl, is there something wrong with it.  Let's see."  Hermione picked up the journal, while Atilla sat and looked up at it expectantly.  Hermione saw instantly what must have gotten Atilla interested.  Hades had written back.

Cassandra,

It does sound like the typical discussions that people have in these journals are a bit trivial.  I do have a suggestion.  Why don't we take turns asking a question with substance to each other?  It could be about anything.  Since I came up with the idea it is only fair that you ask the first question.

Hades

______________________________________________

Thinking that Hades was probably not there again, she wrote back.

Alright Hades, I will ask the first question.  That is a great idea by the way. Here is the question:

Hermione paused, what to ask.  It had to be good, but nothing too intense yet, as they didn't really know each other.   Deciding that maybe a cup of tea would help her think she set the journal down and went to make one. 

__________________________________________________________

Severus was sick of waiting.  He had been there when she had written, and he waited and waited for a question.  It never came.  So giving up on Cassandra coming up with a question he wrote back.

Seeing as you seem to be having problems coming up with a question, I will ask one.  Here it is: What are your thoughts on the Trial of Death Eater Marcus Flint?  

________________________________________________

a/n: I would like to thank all of you who reviewed, I really appreciate your comments and suggestions.  J 

Again a special thank you to Miracle, your comments help with every chapter!

Lea, I will let you know if I need a Beta, at this time I have all I need.  Thank you so much for the offer though. 

Lastly I would like to thank my wonderful Betas; Tealrose2000, akbiosphere, Supermoth, Hildegard, and shakiramr.  The are wonderful, putting up with my writing.