Hey! Well…here it is! Chapter 23…the end is near my friends, though I can't really tell how this is going to end (actually, I do have an idea…but I don't know if it's the right way to end this…)

Thanks for your constant support and I promise I WILL try to check for my spelling and my grammar EVEN furtherer than I am doing now, with the incredible help of my beta- reader Casi…thanks again…and… see you!

Chapter 23: Chats from Another World

If someone would have told Hermione 42 hours ago that she was going to have a little chat with the one person she hated the most, she wouldn't have believes her ears.

However, she was sitting across Audrey, listening to her every word carefully, very carefully.

-Henrietta, is it?- Audrey asked innocently- I wanted to have a talk with you… about Ron, actually.

-It's Hermione, and by all means… don't let me stop you from talking- Hermione snapped.

-Oh, ok then, Hermione- Audrey said nastily- I am looking forward to engaging a more intimate relationship with Ronald and I was wondering if you are still interested in him.

-What??- Hermione asked in shock. Audrey's question had taken her aback.

-Do you have a hearing problem, dear? I think you should have your ears checked…- Audrey said sarcastically, though Hermione wasn't sure. Audrey used to employ the same mellow tone on every sentence.

-No, dear…I certainly don't have a hearing problem. Regarding your question… how considerate of you!- Hermione shouted acidly, staring at Audrey with a killing gaze- I used to thought Ron had a mind of his own! I mean… now that I see he needs our permission to date.

-That's not what I meant, dear- Audrey said in a melodious tone- I meant to ask you if you would be okay with me being with your ex boyfriend- Audrey explained.

-Why wouldn't I be?- Hermione asked.

-Well, dear, isn't it obvious?- Audrey said. Hermione raised an eyebrow; that was her line- Aren't you still in love with him?

-OH, MY DEAR GOD! NO!- She shouted in panic.

-I see- Audrey said, trying not to look too happy. She wasn't succeeding- I will see you around, my dear Harriet- Audrey said sharply- If you need me, I will be cooking Ronald some cookies… do you reckon he likes chocolate?- She asked, before laughing like a wicked witch- Oh! How should you know, you poor thing? You know nothing about cooking, do you?

And with that, she closed the door as smoothly as everything she did. She even walked graciously… she had some many qualities Hermione lacked of… being a good cook, for once.

Could she win Ron's heart?

Hermione did not know, however, that she had already got his soul.

---*---*---

Snape was sitting awkwardly on Fred's former bed. It was just weird to watch Florence like that; she looked so weak, so fragile…so not like her.

She had puffy eyes, black spots under her eyes, and pale cheeks. Her curly hair was fairly straight, and her whole body felt cold under Snape's casual caress.

He stretched his arm far enough for him to touch her forehead. She was sweating cold, and he just wanted to hug her and make everything better. He couldn't. Even though George was away she was still someone else's wife. Well…not technically… but… it made everything immoral all the same.

She got up from the bed George and she had been sharing for over a week now, and carefully walking across the room, she took a seat next to Snape, who did not dare to move an inch. She was trembling frantically… as if being away from him made her shudder.

Still, he did not move.

"Why aren't you touching me, Severus?"- She asked to herself. He wasn't moving, though.

She took her arm and her hands and cautiously she placed it across over her shoulders. He reacted to her touch, almost immediately.

He lifted her up for a second or two, and placing her whole body between his legs, he started to caress her hands calmly, as if time was endless.

-You smell wonderfully- He whispered into her ear. She started shaking- Are you cold, Miss Pugliare?

-No, Severus… I am just fine- She commented. She was indeed feeling fine surrounded by nothing but his body.

-Are you warmer now?- He asked with a hint of preoccupation on his voice.

-I am perfectly fine- She confessed, smiling broadly. He loved that smile so much; he had seen so little of that smile over the past years.

He wanted her to stay there with him forever; he wanted her to be his. But Severus Snape was a good guy- despite what most people think- and stubbing George Weasley- his least favourite person in the world- in the back wasn't on his plans.

The caressed became more passionate …and less shy. And just when Florence was about to kiss Snape on the mouth and explore his lips completely… a red head entered the room

-George!- Florence shouted

-Mr. Weasley!- Snape shouted at the exact same time.

-I am not George, Flor! But, for god sake, stand up from Snape's lap! I am utterly disgusted!- Fred shouted.

-Oh, yes, Fred, I'm sorry- Florence replied, very timidly. She was blushing.

-Certainly, Mr. Weasley. We weren't doing anything wrong- Snape said.

-Oh, no! I guess not! Is my brother aware that this is happening?- Fred asked nastily.

-And what is that, Mr. Weasley?- Snape asked with a serious tone of voice.

-Nothing, professor Snape… nothing- He answered, obviously intimidated by Snape's deep voice- Florence… I expected better from you.

-Fred, I can explain…as Professor Snape said… nothing is going on between him and me!- She shouted.

-Yes, sure- Fred said- I am gay; not blind. I perfectly saw the way you two were… rubbing your bodies against each other. Even if what you are saying is true, Florence, you two are doomed to run into each other forever, apparently. Neither of you can get away from the other- Fred sentenced- I don't want to hear about it…!- He said when Florence attempted to explain a thing or two.

And slamming the door shut, he walked into the corridors and towards the stairs determinate to find George and talk to him about everything… he just needed to know.

Meanwhile, Florence and Snape were immerse in silence, neither of them wanted to break the ice. Neither of them wanted to talk to each other after the scene Fred had just offered.

Were they really destined to be together? And what about George? What about Florence's feelings towards George? Was she in love with him still? If so… what is she doing with Snape?

Really… what is she doing with Snape?