A/N: I think the direction this takes is the only way to get there…. sorry if it seems obvious… thanks for all the great reviews, and I hope you all like this chapter.

Three

            Hermione sighed as she watched the other students leaving Hogwarts for the Christmas break.  Even Ron and Harry were going this year, in order to see Ron's nephew. His oldest brother Percy and his wife Riana had their first child a month ago, and Hermione wasn't sure who was happier, Molly Weasley, or Ron.

            "Good bye 'Mione, don't worry, we'll take lots of pictures. You're sure you won't come with us?" her two friends spoke almost simultaneously, and she wondered if anyone in the Burrow would notice the two boys' affection this year. Gently reassuring them, she pushed them out the big main doorway of Hogwarts and started back toward Gryffindor tower, lost in her own reasons for staying at the school for the holiday. While the Grangers tried very hard to understand their only child, she and they knew that the world Hermione lived in was vastly different from theirs. She tried not to cry as she remembered the last time she had gone home, the previous summer. The people she had known as a young girl had also matured, and she was so out of touch with popular Muggle culture that she had spent her entire holiday in the public library or in her father's personal collection, burying her sorrows in books. She often struggled to remember how to complete simple tasks without magic, and had spent the first three nights home in darkness because she did  not want to ask her parents how to operate a newer, more up to date lighting system than she had grown-up with. Her parents had treated her like a china doll with nasty habits, and she had never been happier than when stepping onto platform 9 ¾ at the end of the summer. They had written her to inform her that they would not be home for Christmas, and that it would be best for her to remain at school until graduation. Something in the letter's tone made her believe that they thought it best for her to remain away from them forever.

            Walking along the corridor that would take her to Gryffindor Tower, she suddenly smashed into something… 'not the wall', she thought, her eyes closed. Then the smell came to her, Bergamot and Lavender and Sandalwood. Breathing deeply it took her a moment to register the black robes and the sinewy body the she was crushed up against. A voice rumbled against her ear, and she pulled back sharply just as it cut into her.
            "Miss Granger, perhaps your time would be better spent paying attention to where you are going, and saving the day-dreaming about Potter for once you are safely in your rooms. While you are one of only two students staying this year, may I remind you that there are still many staff-persons about, and spending the holiday walking into them could be a dangerous way to pass the time." Looking down at her his eyes seemed to almost have a sparkle to them, and she pulled further back, waiting to hear how many points he would take. Surprising her, Snape took Hermione by the arm gently and continued. "I suggest that unless you don't want to eat, you come with me to dinner." With that last statement, he let go of her arm and continued in the direction of the Head Master's office. She choked back a tear and hurried after him, pulled far enough out of her reverie to observe his strong back moving away from her swiftly and with disgust.

            When Hermione reached the entrance to Dumbledore's office, she was surprised to see Snape standing there. He looked at her, eyes taking in her bloodshot eyes and flushed, tear-stained face. Pulling a black handkerchief out of his robes he ran it over her cheeks almost gently, and she was surprised to find herself grateful for the gesture. They stood for a moment, the hawkish man gently caressing her face with the smooth material. "There, Miss Granger. The staff will not, I hope, accuse me of beating you now." he growled gently, and shoved the sodden fabric back into his robes. Grunting the password "Candy cane", he stepped into the office, and Hermione followed, wondering if gargoyles could really give sympathetic looks.

            Albus Dumbledore's office was one of the most cluttered rooms at Hogwarts, and Hermione had all she could do to keep from giggling at Professor Snape as he sat down in-between an enchanted evergreen quietly singing Christmas carols and Fawkes, the phoenix, who would from time to time peck at the man's hair, even pulling it and moving just out of reach for a few minutes before returning to his perch. She heard Professor McGonagall clear her throat, "Ahh, Severus, you found her, good. Hermione, dear, please have a seat. Meals will rotate thru all the offices, and so we shall have to give you a schedule." Madame Pomfrey patted a chair between the kind nurse and Snape, and Hermione sat, somewhat nervously, down. With Pomfrey beaming at her and Snape glaring at her, Hermione felt like she was trapped between heaven and hell, without being sure who was which. Dinner went on without much problem, and she for once didn't feel like she was the only one taking forever. Snape ate even more slowly than Hermione, and she even caught him with a half smile as Mdme. Pomfrey again reminded them both that they wouldn't get desert until they finished their meals. As the Head Master passed around candy, both Muggle and Wizard, he spoke quietly with Snape, who turned to her with a candy cane in each hand. Awkwardly handing her one, he said "Miss Granger, as I expect you know, Mr. Malfoy was the only other student staying for the holiday, as his mother wished to protect him from Lucius. The elder Malfoy has, however, been apprehended, and the boy left shortly after the other students. " There was steel in his voice, but also something else. Snape almost sounded nervous! Before she could ask him what exactly this had to do with her, Professor McGonagall spoke. "Hermione, the reason Severus is telling you this is because I've been called away by family, and Madame Hooch is coming with me. He will be acting in the capacity of your Head of House until the end of the holiday." She looked incredulously from Professor to Professor, and Dumbledore spoke quietly. "Professor Snape will be moving into the North Tower, occupying the suit the floor above you, for the next month. As he lives there in the summer, I expect that the move will not take long." Hermione looked at the Head Master, and he beamed at her. "Don't worry, dear, Severus wont hurt you. He might even let you take a peek at his 10,000 volume personal library if you ask kindly. I've found a strong pot of tea and a peppermint candy cane can get you almost anything from him." At this the old man chuckled, and Hermione was shocked to hear Snape chuckle softly. "Now Albus, don't tell her all my secrets!"

With that announcement, the staff revived and filled out of the office, and Snape beckoned to Hermione to follow him. "Miss Granger, would you mind helping me move?" He asked. Not waiting for an answer, he walked to the dungeons, Hermione following. He stopped a few portraits down from the Slythern common room, and whispered a password. She could feel the dark eyes of the painting burning into her as she followed Snape into his private rooms.