Chapter Three:

Months flew by and Hermione had never been happier. Her classes were easy to teach. Even the Slytherins seemed to like her, though they would never admit it. Things passed along smoothly until the Christmas holidays. The Head Boy and Girl wanted to throw a Christmas Ball. Snape was not happy, but he's agreed.

"He has to dance now!" Oliver laughed, "He's Headmaster!"

The Ball approached quickly and soon Hermione found herself getting ready. Muggle clothing was allowed and Hermione took advantage of it. She wore a black dress and heels. Nothing flashy, but very elegant.

"Hey, beautiful." Oliver smiled form the door, "You'll miss the Ball if you don't hurry."

"I'm ready and don't call me 'beautiful', Woody."

"Alright, fine." he muttered, "C'mon gorgeous!"

"Oliver!"

"Sorry, couldn't resist." he grinned.

They entered the Great Hall and sat at the staff table. Snape made a rather bitter welcome speech and the Ball had begun. Hermione and Oliver danced two dances and then Snape did something neither of them expected:

"May I cut in?" he sneered as he tapped on Oliver's shoulder.

"Uh…yea…I guess.." Oliver glanced at Hermione before walking over to Professor Sinistra.

"I wanted to speak with you." Snape said, taking her hand in his and placing his other at her waist.

"About?" Hermione couldn't help but to be curious.

"A student. Daniella Hersch?" He asked.

"Danny is a wonderful student." Hermione said.

"Yes, and she was found out of bed at four in the morning near your room…right in front of it."

"Why?" Hermione asked.

"No idea, I think she thinks of you as a mentor. She's much like you were at her age. Did she say anything odd yesterday?" Snape sneered.

Hermione couldn't believe he'd looked that far into a student's background. Especially a first year Gryffindor!

"No, but I told her she could come talk to me if she ever needed--"

"Hermione!" Oliver interrupted, he and his partner had just danced right up to them. "As much as I hate to do this…" he grinned as he pointed to a clump of mistletoe above Hermione and Snape.

"Oliver Alexander Wood!" She hissed, "I will get you for this!"

Snape didn't seem to understand. He looked blankly at the shrubbery overhead, and then at Wood.

"It's a branch." he said.

"It's mistletoe, Headmaster." Wood said sweetly.

"I told them no mistletoe!" Snape muttered angrily.

Hermione caught sight of the Head Boy and Girl. They were dancing together across the room. She pointed to the pair of them, they were gaping in horror at their mean Headmaster and favorite professor.

"They. Will. Pay." Snape hissed, then he leaned down and kissed Hermione quickly and headed in the direction of the Head Boy and Girl.

"Wood!" Hermione whispered, she was shocked. So was Wood.

"I can't believe he did it!" Hermione grabbed his shirt and pulled him out of the Great Hall.

She dragged him all the way to her bedroom where she kicked off her shoes and collapsed into bed. She glared at Wood, and then she exploded.

"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?"

"Sorry." Wood mumbled sheepishly.

"YOU WILL PAY, OLIVER!"

Wood ran from the room, dodging the shoe she had thrown at him and trying to hide his laughter. Hermione sighed; she'd deal with it later.