A/N: One of my reviewers told me she liked Hermione's thoughts…so I've put a bit more of that in. Hermione's thought's are in italics…the thoughts of her "little voice" are bolded.
Xela Lupe, HunnySnowBunny, Serpens Potio, mssudie, DarkChildNinaAnimeAngel:
Thank you all so much for the reviews! This chappy is dedicated to you!
Chapter Two:
Hermione rushed to the library after her detention with Snape. She sneaked through the door and went to the very back shelf. Running her fingers over the spines of the many old and worn books, Hermione stopped on a volume bound in blood red leather. She carefully pulled it from the shelf and went to a table in a corner hidden from view of the librarian. Potions of Truth.
Hermione opened the book and sifted through the contents. She finally found what she was looking for. Hermione pulled the book closer and became lost in the text. Never noticing the figure behind her reading over her shoulder.
"The Draught of Truth is the second most powerful truth potion in existence. The victim of the potion is forced to reveal his or her deepest secrets, if asked. The potion will only activate itself when the victim finds his or her self under inquiry…hmm…" Hermione muttered under her breath.
"Yes, yes, very interesting, Miss Granger." Snape murmured behind her.
Hermione jumped at the sound of his silky voice and turned to face him. He was staring at her with malice and hatred, quite pleased at the look of shock on her face.
"Detention, it's past curfew." He said before whipping out of the library and leaving Hermione alone and in the dark.
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Hermione crawled into bed after pulling on he nightgown. She was furious. She knew he had only given her detention for researching the potion he'd been working on.
Of all the low, rotten, totally sadistic things to do! Giving me a detention for being curious!
Curiosity killed the cat.
And?
Think, Gryffindor=Lion=cat.
Oh.
Yeah, Oh…and you're curious about something else, too.
No I'm not.
Yes You Are.
No.
Yes.
No.
Yes.
N- Oh Gods, I'm talking to voices in my head, to make matters worse…I'm arguing with them!
I am only one voice and you're arguing because you know I'm right.
Are not.
Are too.
Not.
Too.
Not.
Too.
UGH! What am I "curious about", then?
Him.
Him Who?
Him Snape.
What? Why on earth would I be curious about him?
You tell me, kitty.
Hermione sighed, and told the "inner voice" to shut up. She slipped into a very troubled sleep, and tossed and turned all night.
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Hermione slowly made her way to Potions class the ext morning. She slid into her seat next to Neville and waited for instructions. She thought she noticed Snape glancing at her more than necessary, but quickly excused that thought. Snape tapped the blackboard with his wand and instructions for the day's potion appeared. Hermione set to work.
The class was dismissed early. Mainly because of Neville's second exploded cauldron that month. His Boil Batch had exploded and left much of the class covered in large red burns. As the wounded made their way to the hospital wing, Hermione stayed behind to receive her detention.
"What now, Miss Granger?" Snape snapped.
"My detention, sir?" Hermione squeaked.
"Detention?"
"Yes, sir, last night, sir?"
"Oh…yes. Tonight at nine." Snape muttered, remembering their encounter.
"Professor?"
"What?"
"Are you alright, sir?" Hermione asked.
Snape glared at her. Hermione regretted those last few words with every bone in her body. She trembled under his gaze, which he noticed with pleasure.
"Not that it's any of your business, but yes, I am quite well."
"Yes, sir."
"Will that be all, Miss Granger?" He sneered.
"Yes, sir." Hermione ran from the room.
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Hermione entered the dungeons again that night. De JA Vu. She paused and made a point to knock.
"Enter."
Hermione took a deep breath…and slowly pushed open the door. She entered the Dungeon; trying to ignore her rapidly beating heart and that damn voice was back again!
Mmm…I have to agree with Ginny. Tall, Dark, and intelligent. He's not totally unfortunate looking either. Rather dashing, really.
Shut. Up.
So, decided not to deny it anymore?
This is going to be a long night.
Not if you admit it.
Shut. Up.
You like him.
"Shut Up!" Hermione hissed aloud.
Snape looked at her. Emotions crossing his face almost to quick for Hermione to recognize them. Confusion, anger, fear, shock, and then he finally seemed to reach the conclusion that Hermione was quite insane.
"Talking to yourself, Miss Granger? Or were you telling me to 'shut up', as you so eloquently put it.?" He said venomously.
"Sorry, sir. Wasn't thinking."
"Clearly." Snape moved away from his cauldron. "Bottle this, set it on my desk. Clean the desks, then you may leave."
Like I thought, a long night.
A long night with Snape.
Shut. Up.
Snape was watching her face closely. When she finally noticed this, he shook his head as if trying to clear it of something. Snape crossed the room silently and left the classroom.
Oh, he's' left. Too bad.
Shut. Up.
But she knew the voice was right. Hermione sighed and started her work.
