Dreamless Sleep

Chapter Six

Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter, why would I be writing fan fiction? USE COMMON SENSE!!!

This chapter is dedicated to my friend, Michael.

Ginny woke up, feeling strong arms around her, and a warm body pressed to her back. She jerked around, only to see a peacefully sleeping Snape.

'Severus.' She mentally corrected herself. She couldn't help but giggle at the way he looked. Never before had anyone described the Potions Master as 'adorable'. His hair was spread about his pillow and his mouth was slightly opened. She was trying to stifle her laughter to keep him from waking up. Apparently, her efforts were futile, because he opened a single eye and asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Don't know. I just woke up."

That was when he remembered taking her to his room last night. A dark red immediately crept up his cheeks.

"What?" she asked, looking at him like he should be in St. Mungo's.

"Don't you remember?" he was silently hoping that she did, to spare himself some further embarrassment.

"I remember having a dream last night, and when I woke up, you were there. I think I fell asleep again after that."

"You did, and you wouldn't let me go. I was tired, and instead of waking you up, I brought you here."

"Oh. Um-thanks, I guess."

They both sat on his bed, trying to avoid the other's eyes. After sitting in that manner for a few minutes, Snape's head shot up, and he asked frantically, "What time is it?"

Ginny, who had just realized that it was a Friday morning, gasped.

"I hope I'm not late for anything." She muttered, mentally berating herself.

"Today's your first day in the seventh year Potions class. It's your first class of the day. If you're late, I am too. Lets-"

Snape was cut off by various conversations springing to life in his classroom.

"Darn," Ginny looked up with worried eyes. "they're here! What are we going to do?"

"We'll have to walk through my office to get to the classroom. I can tell them that we were talking about the things I will expect from you in this class."

"Good idea."

They stood, with Ginny stopping to smooth her hair, and headed through his office. They thought they were safe, until they noticed the office door was open, giving everyone in the class a clear view of where they came from.

Snape came up with a real good excuse, real quick.

"I hope that potion helps your little 'problem'." He said, praying that she would catch on.

"Thank you, Professor." She said. She covertly gave him a wink and preceded him into the classroom.

Ronald Weasely was definately not a happy camper. Ginny could feel the anger-vibes from across the room. Before Snape could formally introduce her, the irate redhead had jumped out of his seat and ran to her at the front of the room. He grasped her arms and started shaking her.

"Where were you last night, Ginny? I was up all night waiting for you!"

Instead of waiting for her to answer he said, "If you were with a some guy, I'll write to Mum and tell her you're cheating on Harry." He had stopped shaking her, so she answered, "Don't you have to be IN a relationship BEFORE you can cheat on someone? And it's none of your business where I've been."

Normally, she wouldn't have dared to talk back to any one of her brothers, especially Ron, but this time she felt reckless. She felt she could do anything, as long as Severus was by her side.

Ginny felt more like herself when he was around. Virginia Weasely needed him more than anything in the world, and neither of them knew it yet.