Disclaimer: The great J.K. Rowling created everything in the Harry Potter kingdom. Me, I just created the plot line.

AN: Slow start. Still no beta found.

I don't have an e-mail working right now, so if you leave a message on the review page thing I can probably read it there. Sorry if you've been sending to my e-addy.

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Ch. 8

" You've always had great aim Sev."

Dumbledore grinned at the faint blush forming on the younger Professor's face.

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4 days later- 4 godforsaken, miserable, torturous days later, Hermione found herself in front of the most ignorant first years Hogwart's had ever seen.

" Miss Potter, I am quite aware that although no relation to Mr. Potter of Gryffindor, both of you seem to share the same idea that you can slack off in my class." Hermione coldly stated, her patience retreating south for the winter "But the main difference between him and yourself is that, you have some skill of seeing past your nose. So if you will please use those pretty little eyes and read to the class the first sentence of the chapter I assigned to you last week." The girl whimpered, reaching for her battered book and read:

" Although the bodily-shrinking draught is commonly used to reduce the size of certain limbs, (A few students dared to giggle, and in return received dirty looks from the head girl.) it is possible to eliminate severe headaches by adding 4 ounces of shredded mandrake root to the solution before the lavender extract."

" Really? Is that so?" Hermione dryly asked, while walking across the room in a fluid motion. "Now if this is the case Miss Potter, then tell me why did you write:

" By throwing in baby Mandrakes with a pinch of love into your potion, you will receive the effects of no illnesses."

This was too much for the Slytherin side of the room, who roared with laughter.

" Silence!"

The girl, who flushed several shades of red shrugged,

" I... I didn't-" She started to explain.

" That's exactly right, you didn't, you didn't even bother reading this assignment until 5 minutes before the class had even started. Am I right Miss Potter?"

A small guilt ridden nod confirmed her suspicion. Hermione expelled a disappointed sigh and ran a hand through the tangled mess of curls adorning her head.

" I believe Miss Potter is not alone in her attempt of speed-reading. In fact I'm positive that the majority of you didn't even try to open your books. For this, everyone who failed the quiz will not only write me a 24-inch composition on the bodily shrinking potion, but you will write it in prose. Don't you dare think this is a time to slack off, because first thing Monday morning, you will recite it in front of the class, and be graded upon your creativity and accuracy. The select few, who actually passed today, will receive 5 extra points on the next test and are excused from this assignment."

Groans filled the classroom drowning out Hermione's final comment

"Oh, and 3 pts to Ravenclaw, Miss Potter, for at least attempting to answer the question with some reasonable flare." The child nodded, awe struck, and swore someday to become a professor just like her. This substitute was really cool!

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" Miss Granger!"

" Damn" the Gryffindor muttered darkly stopping to a halt, 'So much for a good day.'

Judging by the deep red-orange rays piercing the windows, Hermione had anticipated a lazy, comfortable and warm Saturday. ' My inner eye seems to have clouded temporarily'

"Yes, Professor McGonagall?" She turned towards the lioness with a light tone.

"The headmaster informed me that you've landed yourself detention for the next 3 weeks." It was a fact, not a question.

Mirvina sniffed when she noticed the impertinent girl staring down at her with a blank stare.

" If you think this isn't serious, Miss Granger, I hope -"

" You must be joking." Hermione finally struggled to speak, unable to believe that she'd gotten detention. Certainly the headmaster had gotten the wrong person.

" No Professor, you don't understand-" but the woman waved her off with a flick of her hand

" I understand perfectly, I couldn't believe it at first, but when I saw the pictures. Honestly Hermione. Harry and Ron might never forgive you for this."

"What pictures?" The head-girl tried to remain calm, but when there were pictures, it was impossible to know what she could have been caught doing, consciously or unconsciously.

" Don't play stupid child, it's unattractive, (Hermione rolled her eyes) anyway Professor Snape expects you everyday, apparently you already know the time...Figure the bastard would want you with him" The older woman mumbled the last bit to herself.

" Huh?" The bell rang before another word was spoken.

" Get to class Miss Granger before I take off points." Was the stiff reply. It occurred to the head girl that by the look in McGonagall's eyes, Severus and Dumbledore had conspired something completely treasonous against her, otherwise her head of house would have been with her all the way.

Then again... Gryffindor's were not exactly known for their loyalty to their friends.

Viciously, she stomped out the memories dancing in her head.

Trudging towards the greenhouse, Hermione vowed to pay Severus Snape a visit this evening.

Authors Note:

I'm going to start in on the romanticism of HG/SS next Chapter. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Also, this chapter I've realized, seems slightly out of place, but within the next couple of pages, it will all start to fit. Don't worry.