A/N: So, yeah, it's been almost a year since I've updated. I've got renewed enthusiasm and plan to trudge on. Let me know how I'm doing, I'm not much of a writer, but I try.

Hermione followed him down the hall. His pace quickened as he anxiously approached his rooms, and he smiled knowing she had returned, but she couldn't see that. As she tried to keep up with him, she began to wonder if she'd done the right thing coming back. For once in her life, this was something she didn't know, and couldn't find out from a book. The doors in the dungeons opened as Severus hurried through, lamps lighting themselves as he stepped toward his rooms. She began to sweat, part from the pace and part from her nerves. Soon enough, they had arrived and he opened the door, motioning for her to come through. Taking a deep breath, she moved through the doorway and took her seat.

She sat alone in the room for a few minutes, listening to Severus rustle through the cupboards. What am I doing here? Should I have come back? But before she could think too much on it, she was startled back to present with the whistle of the kettle. Severus rounded the corner and sat the teacups in front of them. She fixed her tea without looking at him, and they sat in silence. He stared intently at her, watching her small hands wrap themselves around the cup. She twisted it around in her hands and fixated her glance at the bottom of the cup, as if searching for answers. He shifted slightly in his seat before placing his cup on the table. Still, nothing from Hermione. He began to worry. Too many unanswered questions paraded through his mind. He finally spoke.

"Hermione?" he asked.

She continued to stare into the teacup.

"Um, Hermione?" he repeated still not getting any response.

"Hermione, I didn't think you believed in divination?" he asked.


She startled at his question, "what?" she asked confused.

"Well, it just seems the way you are staring into the teacup…I thought you might be trying to read the tea leaves or more of that ridiculousness."

"No," she laughed, "I'm just….thinking."

"Apparently. Hermione, I hope you're not angry with me."

"Angry with you? Why would I be angry?"

"I don't know. You just left and I thought maybe it was….well, that day when I, I mean we, or perhaps something I said that night about you and me and…Well, I just thought that something I'd said or done had upset you and that you were angry," he stumbled.

It was his turn to look down at the table now, searching for something.

"Oh, Severus! I could never be angry with you. No, it was just, I needed to think about things, about Viktor, about what happened, about you…us," her voice trailed off.

"What did you decide?"

"I think that I want to see what happens. I'm scared, I have to tell you. I'm afraid of what I feel of what might happen or won't happen. I'm just afraid that you're going to be…" she stared at him, not knowing what to say. Did she want him to know that she was afraid he would hurt her?

He looked at her cinnamon eyes, and longed to touch her face, to kiss her, but knew he shouldn't. He knew they had to talk this out.

"What are you afraid of Hermione? What do you think I will do?"

"I don't know, and that's part of what scares me. I've never been in a situation like this before, and I simply don't know what to do. This isn't something I read about in Hogwarts: A History you know."

"Do you trust me?" he asked concerned.

"I want to trust you. That's all I can tell you right now."

"That's enough, for now. I will prove to you that you can trust me."

She looked back at him and searched his eyes for anger or hate, but found neither. Now she was the one who wanted to share a kiss with him. She thought back to the kiss they had shared days before, of lying in bed with him, just talking. She wasn't aware, but he was thinking of those same things.

"Severus, what do you think Dumbledore is going to say about this?"

"I don't thi…" he began

"Hermione, how good to see you've returned. Now what am I supposed to say about what?" the wizard inquired.

Hermione looked to Snape, he raised a lone eyebrow to her, and she startled to babble something incoherent.

"Ah, never you mind. I'm sure whatever it is, is splendid. I have something for you my dear," he winked at her as he handed a piece of parchment to her. She unwrapped the red ribbon and broke the seal. She quickly scanned the note, smiled, and jumped from her seat.

"Thank you Headmaster! Thank you, thank you!!" she embraced the older wizard, while a confused Snape looked on.

"Am I too assume that this means you accept?" he laughed at his own joke.

"Yes, sir. I'd be happy to," she beamed.

"Excellent. Well, I must be on my way. Good day, Professor, Professor," and with a nod he had left them.

"Do you want to tell what that was about or should I wait to hear it from the Daily Prophet?" he asked.

"Oh, Severus! Dumbledore has offered me the position of Professor of Muggle Studies. It appears that our former teacher met with an unfortunate event involving a hair dryer. So, I'm to begin teaching this year!"

"That's wonderful. Now, we'll never be rid of you. Staying at Hogwarts, eating at the staff table, in the library…." He couldn't help but to smile at her, "and I can see you as often as I like. Congratulations Hermione, it is well-deserved. I also have something that I think you might be interested in. About that owl from Fudge…"

"Hm, do I really want to know?"

"I think so," he summoned a box from across the room. "Here, open it."

"What's in it?" she puzzled.

"I cannot say. It did not have my name on the outside." He waited as she cautiously opened the box.

She slowly opened the small box and smiled at the contents. She drew the object from the box, and held it in front of her as she began to cry. He moved over to her and put his arm around her. She handed him the letter and he read it aloud,

Dear Miss Granger,

After a thorough search of Mister Krum, we've found something we believe belongs to you. I'm sure you have missed it. With some magical testing, we have discovered that Mister Krum had placed a sleep disruption charm on your wand. If you are not aware, this particular charm prevents the wand's owner from restful sleep. Whoever casts this charm controls the owner's dreams. Our team here at the Ministry have removed the charm. Your wand appears to be in working order.

 Sincerely,

Cornelius Fudge.

She sobbed quietly for a few moments as Severus rubbed the small of her back. He took the package from her hand, she turned into his chest and cried for a moment more and looked up at him.

"I didn't know. The dreams… that's why….all of those dreams…" she shook her head in disbelief. He had been in control of her all of this time.

"Hermione, I'm sorry. I wish there was something…."

"I know, it's okay," she wiped her eyes and shook her head, pulling herself back together, "I'm fine now, everything will be fine."

He wasn't sure what he was supposed to say at that moment. He asked, "So, um, are you hungry?"

She laughed, "Yes, famished. Should we go up to the Great Hall for some lunch?"

"Excellent idea. But first…I have a question."

"Oh, what is that?"

"What's a hair dryer?"

She laughed, and took his arm, leading him into the Great Hall for lunch.