Hermione woke up on the first day of Christmas break to the view of a large, orange, furry object.

"Crookshanks! Get your ass out of my face!" She near yelled as she threw the cat off her. Her spirits had slightly lifted since the potions accident, and Draco and Harry did not seem to be plotting anymore. 'And I thought Draco would do nothing but after the classroom incident.' She smiled to herself, remembering how she completely forgot about him. Boy, was Draco pissed! But at least he took it well afterwards.

She allowed herself to linger a bit in bed, until her reverie was interrupted by a loud knock on her door.

"Oi! Hermione! You coming down?" She heard Ron yell.

"Nope! Ain't happening!" She muttered, just loudly enough so that he could hear. "Quite comfortable. Thanks for checking."

"I think a visual inspection is in order!" She heard Harry say. "Alohomora!"

Hermione couldn't believe they would just barge in. "What if I were in the middle of changing and standing here half naked?" She asked.

"Than I'd be encouraged to do it again." Ron replied. "Armed with a camera. I'm sure Draco would like a copy." She promptly smacked him upside the head.

"Pig."

"Hey! Leave my owl out of this." Ron exclaimed. "Wait a minute." He said, tapping his chin with an index finger and looking at the clear windows that had no curtains. "I wonder if Pig can lift a camera. . .I could time it, or cast a spy ch-"

"Ronald Arthur Weasley!!!" Hermione yelled. "If you even dare, I'll. . .I'll. . ."

"You'll what, 'Mione?" He asked, raising his eyebrows suggestively.

She calmed her face (something she learned from her time working with Severus), and began to look like the cat who got the canary. In her most innocent voice, she drawled sweetly, "Nothing." She than proceeded to grab her bathrobe and left for a shower, leaving one very worried Weasley in her wake. (ACK! More alliteration! Absolutely abominable. . .almost!)

Harry turned to the red head. "Be afraid, Ron. Be very afraid."

~@~

Hermione opened the water pressure and allowed the hot water to wake her. Taking a page from Draco's book (although she never knew it), she decided a bit of implicated revenge would be just the thing for Ron. A few evil grins, and he would never dare of even thinking of such a thing. She knew he would have to be out of his mind to actually do it, but a thought could be a dangerous thing. (Draco learned the *ahem* hard way.) 'Let's glare some sense into the boy, shall we?' She thought, now taking a page out of another Slytherin's book - Snape's.

Severus - Man OH Man! After realizing the effect of her actions those months ago, she wondered if he may like something sweet for himself. And than those DREAMS! Whoa man! Given his usual sour disposition, maybe he doesn't. But everybody's got a sweet tooth.

'Maybe I'll get him to indulge it.' She thought. If circumstances had been right, perhaps a bit of a push would have been enough.

"Damn Neville!" She hissed quietly. If Neville hadn't been in Severus' head, who knows what would have happened after that first dream manipulation. They worked alone together often enough. She almost felt guilty for cutting it off and not seeing where it was going. And than her own dream. . .What the hell woke her up?!?

Eventually she came out of the shower. She toweled herself dry, brushed and dried her hair, got dressed, and made her way down to the common room.

~@~

While the boys were waiting for Hermione to finish getting ready, they had been thinking of things that they could do to pass some of the time during the Christmas break.

"I know I love the spare time and all, but we need an adventure. A project, if you will." Harry said to Ron, who was looking in a book to freshen himself up on defenses against any curse that Hermione could possibly know.

"You're starting to sound like 'Mione, Harry." He said. "But I know, you may say project, but it has nothing to do with books."

"Right you are." Harry said. "Remember that dare that you refused to do and did the consequence instead?"

"How could I forget? Draco and I were trying to come up with a few more during our detentions when Filch wasn't listening." Ron said. "Do you know the one about the man from Nantucket?"

"But of course!" Harry said.

"So, what were you thinking of doing?" Ron asked, putting the book down, and figuring that Hermione would just get her revenge and quick.

"I think a bet is in order." Harry said.

"What about that bet you have with Draco?" Ron asked.

"Well, that's still on. He still has to try and fulfill his side of it, or it's gonna be FUN!"

"Harry? What do you have to do if you lose?" Ron asked, curious that that part of the bet was still a mystery to him. Harry turned red at the mention of his part.

"I'd rather not go into that, Ron." Harry said. Ron shrugged.

"So what are the terms?"

"The terms are to find some way of irritating Snape every time you see him around the school. The first one to get detention loses." Harry said.

"But what if we both get detention?" Ron said.

"Than we both lose. And if neither of us get detention by the time the holidays are over, we both win." Harry replied.

"So, what happens when we lose?"

"If you lose? Don't you think detention with Snape is a bad enough consequence for losing?!?" Harry exclaimed.

"Point! And if we win?"

"We get the satisfaction of annoying Snape without getting into trouble with it." Harry grinned. It was than that both boys heard the sound of someone coming down the stairs from the dorm. When Hermione arrived in the common room, dressed and groomed, Ron approached her. . .carefully, she noted.

"Geez Hermione. What took you so long?" He asked, hoping she'd either forgotten what happened earlier, or that she was just joking.

Well, he almost got his wish. Distracted by her thoughts of Severus, it nearly did slip her mind. She turned to him, "Nothing of importance." While smiling too sweetly for Ron's comfort.

"Right." He drawled. "You know I was joking earlier, right?" Ron asked.

"Of course I do, Ron." She sighed, and he relaxed. "But was I?"

And she walked out of the portrait hole to go to breakfast.

~@~

Hermione ate her breakfast quickly. Another good thing that came out of the potions accident was that Snape still allowed her to help with some researching and experiments. The extra tutelage would help her immensely in her NEWT's as well as when she went to Oxford. It would look really good on her academic resume both before and after she received her Potions Mistress title.

And without the constant thought processes of the other going through their brains, it was easier to concentrate on their individual ideas. Although their mental sparring was enjoyable at times, it limited their capabilities somewhat. Also, the awkwardness of each other's dreams had left, although the memory of it held a place in her. . .heart.

She grabbed her notes after finishing breakfast, and headed for the dungeons. She was reading them over again as she walked, and stopped right before she would bump into Snape.

"I hope, Miss Granger, that you do not teach anyone your trick for avoiding walking into me." He said. "I rather enjoy taking off the house points."

She walked behind him in silence, waiting until they were out of hearing range of any student, before replying. "Or do you just get your jollies from it?"

Snape snapped his head back at that comment, slowly towering over her. "That, Miss Granger, would imply. . ." He shivered at the implication when it happened to Harry, Ron, or. . .gulp. . .Neville.

She saw his reaction, and giggled, despite her attempts not to. He glared at her.

"Sorry. I couldn't help myself." She said softly, trying to hide the amused smile.

"Quite all right, Hermione." He drawled. "I've been in your mind before, and I know you probably thought much worse."

"Thank you." She replied. They than began comparing notes and making plans for experiments and such.

~@~

"Mr Malfoy, a word." The Headmaster called to Draco as he left the Great Hall after breakfast.

"Mauve, sir." Draco said. The Headmaster smiled.

"I wished to ask you a favour." Dumbledore said as the Slytherin approached.

"Sir?"

"We have a new student is arriving today. Miss Jessica Jablowmee." He said. "She will be joining Slytherin house."

"Jablowmee? I know that name somewhere. Is she related to Haywood Jablowmee?" Draco asked.

"Why, yes." Albus said. "She has been bored at her previous school, the Jauque Strap Institute for Witchcraft and Wizardry in the south of France."

"Why not go to Beaubaxtons?" Draco asked. "Certainly it would have been closer to her previous school, friends, and family."

"She did not wish to go to Beaubaxtons." The Headmaster replied. "She has friends in Hogsmeade, however. I just wish to ask you if you could show her around, let her get to know her fellow housemates and classmates."

"Certainly, sir." Draco responded. "What year is she in?"

"Seventh. She should be arriving just after lunch. The house elves are setting up a space for her. I'm sure you can prepare what you would like to show her by then."

"Of course." Draco responded, and hurried down to the Slytherin common room to make sure everything was straightened up. Than to Professor Snape's office to inform him of the new arrival, if he hadn't already known.

~@~

"That's an interesting theory, Hermione. But you need to look at the functions of that part of the heart. If you transfigure or alter the tissues, you could be causing more damage than protection to the victim." Severus said.

"True. But it's an idea. Maybe we'd need to go further and manipulate another part of the heart so that the functions can still be performed with the manipulations." Hermione replied. "That way there is no extreme interference with regular functions in the heart, and the protection is still there making the killing curse ineffective."

A knock sounded on the door. Severus looked at the student. "You would have to look into a bit more human anatomy to make sure that all the functions are accounted for without adding strain to the muscle. Enter."

Draco entered the office. "I'm sorry to disturb you, sir. The Headmaster has informed me of a new student arriving."

"Ah, yes, Mr Malfoy. A Miss Jablowmee. I was informed of her arrival last week. You know the procedures." Snape said. Draco nodded his head, and left the office.

"Jablowmee?" Hermione asked, raising her eyebrow.

"Yes. A rather well known family for their accomplishments, if not their name." Severus replied. "I spoke to the girl's father a few times during my own university years. Just a word of advice. Do not ask that family if they know Amanda Hugnkiss."

"Why?"

"Last time Haywood was asked that, he pulled me over. Turned out that the guy was actually gay and wouldn't leave me alone for the rest of the night." He said, cringing at the memory. Hermione giggled. "I finally got him off of me when I began to eye the sheep in the pen next to the house."

Hermione started to full out laugh. "What if I asked him if he knows I. P. Freely?"

"I don't want to think about it. Damn Simpsons." Snape muttered under his breath.

"You've watched the show?" Hermione asked, surprised.

"No. But Haywood is a fan, and I constantly hear about the different names that the writers make up." Severus said, turning back to his book. "Although, I have to admit, there are a few that are rather amusing."

Hermione nodded, and went to his shelves to look for a book on anatomy of the heart. The research continues.

~@~

"Step one, instead of ass say buns, like 'kiss my buns' or 'you're a bunswhole'. Step two, instead of shit say poo, like 'bullpoo', 'poohead', and 'this poo is cold'. Step three, with bitch drop the 't', 'cause bich is latin for generosity. . ."

"Shut up, Neville!" Ron exclaimed. Since Hermione explained the South Park reference, Neville had managed to get his hands on a way to watch the episodes, resulting in viewing the movie. He had put almost all of the lyrics and songs into memory and had been singing them under his breath for weeks since.

"Sorry, guys." Neville said, and he walked away singing the 'Terrence and Philip' song.

"I'm gonna kill Hermione." Ron said. "Why'd she have to tell him about that muggle cartoon?"

"I don't know, Ron. But you know that you should just let her be. Especially after this morning. What if she's plotting her own revenge against you for that camera idea?"

"I was joking, Harry. She wouldn't really do anything to me." Ron said, looking down at his parchment. Harry looked back at him with uncertainty. "She wouldn't, right?"

"This is the only time you'll ever hear me say this, Ron." Harry said. "I feel sorry for you, man."

~@~

Ron and Harry arrived for lunch to find Hermione speaking to both Snape and Dumbledore. Since they looked like they were deep in concentration, they chose to wait until Hermione came to them to see how her research was coming along. Finally, the Headmaster patted her on the back, she smiled, and went towards the table near them.

"Hey guys." Hermione called.

"Hey, Hermione. How's the research?" Harry asked.

"It's all right." She said, watching Ron reach for the sandwiches. "Although, researching works up quite an appetite. I had to make a stop at the kitchens mid morning. I had a nice talk with Dobby."

Ron stopped his reach, looking at the sandwiches suspiciously. Harry caught the movement, and made a mental note to go down to the kitchens later for some lunch. He wouldn't risk it with Hermione in a vengeful mood.

"What kind of stuff are you working on anyway?" Harry asked.

"Working on defenses against the unforgivables. Did you know that the killing curse targets the sac below the heart, causing it to burst which kills the victim?" Hermione asked excitedly.

"Really? What kind of theories are you working on?" Harry asked.

"Well, I can't tell you that," she said, watching Ron reach for the beets. "But I can tell you that the research that Professor Snape and I have been looking at has involved the use of weasel hearts."

Ron looked like he was about to be sick as he placed the beets he had picked up back onto the tray. Reaching for the pumpkin juice, he eyed Hermione suspiciously, than placed it back on the table.

"What's wrong, Ron? Aren't you hungry?" She asked in that way-too-sweetly- for-your-comfort sort of way.

"Um. . .I had a rather large breakfast." Ron replied. "I might go to the kitchens later and have a bite to eat."

"Well, be sure to ask Dobby for your lunch. I was speaking to him before lunch and mentioned how much you like that blood pudding." She called. Ron ignored her as he exited the Great Hall.

"You're evil!" Harry whispered, chuckling.

"Your point?"

~@~

Draco had just finished his lunch. He knew that the Jablowmee chick would arrive in a few moments. He decided that he would give her a tour of the entire castle, getting to know what classes she was interested in and doing well in, and introducing her to those students who he noticed were similar. There weren't many students who had stayed over the holidays, but it was a start.

He walked out of the Great Hall and decided to wait for her by the main entrance of the castle. The Headmaster arrived soon after. Both of them were having a polite conversation when the doors began to open, admitting the new Hogwarts student. Draco looked at the individual who entered.

"Whoa."



A/N:

Does anyone know of a Ginny Weasley/Remus Lupin site? I'm toying with a story idea, but I don't think I'd be allowed to put it on ff.net.

Also, sorry once again 'bout takin so long. School's picked up again. Which only means one thing. . .and I'm not quite sure what that is. Let me get back to you on that one!!!

A few thank you's for this chapter. . .

Atalaya, thank you for the list, which will probably make an appearance in some form in the next chapter.

FoxyChic4u, glad that you took me up on the offer. I was worried that Draco was going to remain with only his Hermione fantasies. Now there's another girl to tie him up and leave him begging!!!!

Plastic: Zeugmas? Sounds like an interesting idea. . . although, I had to look up the word. . .I thought it was a dirty word that I never heard before.

IsabelA113: The limericks shall remain a part of us all, as well as this story. . .hee hee hee

Revel_in_me: Good thing your joking. I'm broke! Is the fizz still tickling your nose?

Yukito Forever: Wait until the last chapter. . .nuff said.

Frankie the Wonder Wiener Dog: I'm a true seer. . .and it's. . .well. . .you'll see!

Jade Dagger: I really don't think you wanna know. . .well, maybe you do. But I don't.

Jasmin flower: Better than monkey sex? Better than royal monkey sex? Better than rabid royal monkey sex?

Warlady: Somewhere inside this sick and twisted individual is an innocent child whose been chained to the wall and. . .hold on. . .What?. . .No I'm not putting anything about teddy bears. . .And no crayons either. . .What?. . .I think I'm being a bad influence on you. . .Anyways, I might let that innocent child go the way it's behaving now.

MadAboutHarry: We're just at the beginning of Christmas holidays. Don't worry. It sails to the end of year after this. I'm glad you got it. I almost put in Micheal Jackson with a school bus, but thought the petting zoo was better.

Chibi Chaos: Just a word of advice. . .don't use these in church/school/funeral. Wedding you can get away with it though.

Islandgirl: I got them from a web site: http://www.runway.co.uk/limericks/rude/dirty.html There are many.

RoseWithThorns: I so dare you to!!!

NiaSphinx: Everyone blames me!!! My mother blamed me for the Titanic sinking once. . .true story!!

Lollylips3: I could put them gay. . .or bi. . .or. . .hmmmm. Maybe that would be a little too far.

The Unforgettable Fire: Thank you. It just seemed so him!

HotsummerAK47: I'll just keep you guessing. Hee hee hee. . .cause I'm evil!

Bessorla: Well, I'm pretty much referring to the hard time that Dumbledore usually gives Snape. You see a bit of it in the books, and a lot of it in many fan fics. And yes, Dumbledore is all knowing. He doesn't necessarily intrude on their thoughts. . .but he does know what's going on. It's one of life's mysteries how he does it. BTW, I love screwing with minds. But you'll have to find out if they get it on or not. Maybe they do, and maybe they don't. But it does have a kinky ending!!