A/N: OOOOOOOO! New chapter! *Wicked grin*. But you'll have to wait a little longer for the real action…I'm so cruel! *Wicked grin grows wider* George sends kisses to the reviewers! Mwa!

Shannon Snape: Sorry, George can't marry you. He's in a very serious relationship right now, but much love anyway!

I'm so glad you all like this, I've taken my time and it's less rushed than my other fics, not to mention longer. On with the ficcage!

Chapter Seven:

Hermione and Snape were eating breakfast, yet again in silence, two days after Ginny's revealing visit. He was reading The Daily Prophet; she was on the last few pages of A Thousand Dark Witches and Wizards. The silence was not uncomfortable, however, as it had been. It was peaceful and familiar. They had grown used to each other's occasional presence, but still hadn't gotten over the communication barrier. Hermione sighed as she finished the book.

"Disappointed?" Snape muttered without looking up.

"One sentence on each of 999 witches and wizards, and then a full biography on the bane that is Voldemort." Hermione said heavily.

Snape looked up at her, clearly surprised by her use of the name. Hermione normally would have found it amusing to see Snape show expression of any kind other than distaste, but was too bored to care. Snape went back to his reading and Hermione pushed her food around on her plate. She no longer felt the need to push on with S.P.E.W., as she felt certain if it weren't for the House Elves, they would have both starved.

"Miss Granger, Albus has deemed it necessary for Miss Weasley to pay us another visit, apparently she has some 'essentials' for you." Snape said absentmindedly.

Hermione silently thanked Merlin his eyes never left the paper. If they had, he would have seen a distinct blush creep up her neck. Hermione had a feeling she knew the 'essentials' he spoke of, if they didn't involve crude beauty products or other feminine obscurities, it was something closely related to Fred and George. In her letters, Ginny didn't seem sure I Hermione should ravish Snape with beauty, or make him regret the day he was born with Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes style pranks.

"When and how will she get here?" Hermione asked.

"Soon and Floo."

He has such a way with words.

SHUT UP!

Calm down! I'll stop verbally abusing your man!

He is not my MAN!

Not for lack of trying, right?

UUGHHH! Who are you and what have you done with my conscience?

We're sorry; Hermione Granger's conscience is currently on vacation. To be connected to Frank, press two. Otherwise, wait and leave a message after the tone…

Frank?

BBBBBBEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPP!

Ok, Ok! Two! I press two!

Frank's the name; your desire is the game.

Pardon?

I am Frank, Frank I am. I am your "inner voice", I say what you know you want to say, but never would.

I would too!

Oh, really? All right then, tell him.

Tell him what?

Tell him he's see-e-xy!

I will not!

Thought so.

Ugh!

I win. Mwahahaha!

AHHHHHHHHHH!

Snape was staring at her, puzzled. She seemed to snap out of a trance and noticed him. Turning red, but before he could ask:

"HERMY?" A voice yelled through the house from her bedroom.

Snape visibly flinched, and Hermione ran upstairs to see Ginny sprawled out on the couch. Magazines, both muggle and magical, surrounded her, along with various makeup and hair products. Hermione groaned, she would have rather had Fred and George than this any day. She slumped down onto the couch next to Ginny, who was beaming.

"Ready?" she asked.

Hermione gave her a look that Voldemort himself would have cowered under, but Ginny took no notice. Giggling, she picked up a few items, and slowly advanced on Hermione.

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After half an hour of cruel and unusual torture, Ginny relented, and warned Hermione that if she put any of her 'masterpiece' out of place, she would be flayed within an inch of her life. Seconds after this threat was uttered, they heard a snort of derisive laughter from the doorway. Snape stood leaning against the doorframe.

"What on earth did you do to her?" he laughed.

"God, Ginny is it that bad? Please tell me you didn't give me ink hair again?" Hermione pouted.

"Pink?" Snape said, clearly amused, "No, Miss Granger it's not ….bad…it's just not you."

"Was that a somehow overshadowed compliment hid behind sarcasm and a death glare?" Hermione asked boldly.

"Perhaps." Snape shrugged before turning, calling over his shoulder that Ginny had to be back at the castle in an hour.

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Ginny had long been gone when Hermione finally stepped out of the shower. She felt refreshed, and she felt like herself again. She's spent lunch in the Dining Hall with Snape making choice remarks about her 'new look', and she was just happy to be free of enduring that. Hermione stopped thinking when the knocking on her door became to loud to ignore, and pulled on a short white dressing gown before moving across her rooms.

"What would Miss Weasley say?" Snape said silkily, again leaning suavely against the doorframe.

"She would skin me alive and that's why you wont tell her!" Hermione argued firmly.

"So sure?"

"Oh, Merlin! Please don't tell her!" Hermione begged," She'll make it worse next time if you do."

"Why do you let her?" Snape smirked.

"Never anger a redhead. Especially a female red-headed Weasley." Hermione said gravely "Ginny could give hr mother a run for her money."

"I see." his smirk grew.

"Is there something else, Sir?" Hermione blurted, suddenly realizing what she was wearing.

Snape seemed to have noticed as well. He was looking her up and down slowly, as if wit approval. He shook his head and left.

Frank? Hermione called tentatively.

You rang, love?

Talk.

I thought so.

Well?

You like him, judging by the way he looked at your legs; he isn't exactly upset about you showering in his house.

So?

Shower. A lot. Break you shower if possible, just so you can use his.

Do you honestly think that with the size of this house there are only two showers?

Ack, good point.

I win. Hermione smirked.

Shut. Up.