Dean Thomas paced impatiently in the Great Hall after dinner while he was waiting for

Hermione and her friends finished dinner. The two of them had become great friends over the summer because Dean's Wizarding home was only a block from Hermione's Muggle house. He had taken her flying on his broomstick a lot in the park across from Hermione's house after dark and she had treated him to numerous home cooked meals.

So, on the first day back at Hogwarts, he had sought Hermione and asked her if their relationship could take the next step. She had seemed hesitant, but agreed. They had been seeing eachother for the month they were back at school. He had only a few classes with her and the only other times he got to see her were meals and free time. But Hermione didn't have much free time. After about a week of dating and seeing eachother about three times that week, Hermione had to call it off. She was taking the most N.E.W.T.S. this year than any other student.

"Hermione!" He called as she and Ron walked past. She patted Ron on the arm and came over to him.

"Hi Dean!"

He grabbed her hand and kissed her on the cheek. They walked to the Quidditch pitch.

"What are we doing out here, Dean?" Hermione demanded playfully.

"We're going for a ride.

"Just like this summer?" she asked excitedly.

"Yeah, just like this summer." He replied and mounted his Cleansweep 7.

"I think I'm ready to go higher now. I think I've gotten used to that wicked thing now."

"Good. Hold on tight." Dean said as they swept upward into the clouds.

For once with Dean, Hermione was not thinking about him. She was thinking about the

strange potions session that she had today with Professor Snape.

In the Potions Lab-a few hours earlier

"Hi, sorry I'm late." Hermione said, dropping her bag inside the door. The room was empty as always, with just her and Snape.

"It's all right."

"What will we do today?" Hermione questioned.

"We're going to start a new potion that must be brewed very carefully. Dumbledore has use for it. A few new death eaters have been captured."

"Is it Veritasium?" Hermione questioned, pulling out a quill.

"Yes. Ten points to Gryffindor." He smiled warmly

Snape looked far away. His students hated him, but as soon as Hermione volunteered to apprentice for him, he was warm and kind to her.

"It says here three shreds of Boomslang skin. How much do you want a shred to be?"

"Oh, yay long." He said, holding up his pinkie finger.

"Thank you, Professor."

"Miss Granger, how many times do I have to tell you, when we are working side by side as colleagues, please address me by my given name."

"I'm sorry. Severus." The 'Severus' was tacked on a little late, but still making her gesture nice.

"Hermione!" Sna-Severus said, grabbing her hands from behind and helping her stir in a different motion. At that moment, Hermione Granger had never felt such a rush.

Back on the Quidditch Pitch with Dean

"You seem kind of out of it today, 'Mione. Are you all right?" Dean asked as he pulled a loop.

"I don't really feel the best. I think maybe I breathed a some powder a little wrong." Hermione was starting to feel sick.

"Should I take you down?" Dean asked softly, truly caring for Hermione's health.

"Yes, I think you should." Hermione said. The world started to tip and Hermione heard her name being yelled as she slipped sideways off of the broomstick.

Before she hit the ground, she thought of Severus Snape helping her to stir.