Hermione sat at her desk in the dungeon classroom, making the devil's tattoo on the oak wood. Potions class was about to start in three minutes and she had absolutely no idea on how to handle everything. She was filled with a strong desire to leave right now, while she still had a chance, and never come back.

Nervously, she glanced at Neville, Harry, Ron and the rest, envying them because they were not loved by their Potions Master.

Still, she found it unbelievable that Snape was in love with her. How could something as crazy as that be even remotely possible? Hermione kept wishing that his amorous declaration had been just a bad dream – a nightmare - fat chance!

Reality bites, she thought bitterly.

She looked up with a start as the door swung open and Snape walked in, his long black cloak dramatically flowing in waves behind him; comme d'habitude he seemed to be in a foul mood.

Hermione's heart leapt in her throat as she expected him to look at her right then. Instead, he went behind his desk and glared at them.

"Christmas homework," he snapped, "now."

Hermione, being the Head Girl, was forced to collect all the scrolls and take them to the teacher's desk. She half-expected him to make eye contact with her or pass a comment, but he continued to study the rest of the class.  In fact, he was looking everywhere except in her direction.

"There is going to be a surprise test today," he announced as Hermione returned to her place. "I want you to brew a hair-removing potion to see how much you remember of your lessons before Christmas. And Longbottom, will you please partner with Miss Parkinson? Miss Bulstrode can take your place."

Hermione couldn't help noticing Snape made no mention of her and her eyes widened in astonishment. Snape had separated her from her friends only once during their second year, but she knew there was a different reason in doing so now. She swallowed nervously as Miss Bulstrode came to stand beside her at the cauldron.

"Now you're screwed, Longbottom," Malfoy whispered not too quietly and some of the Slytherins sniggered.

"As will you be, Mr. Malfoy, if you don't behave yourself," Snape replied unexpectedly.

Gryffindors, as well as Slytherins, were shocked. Snape had reprimanded a Slytherin? No one could have been more astonished than Hermione.

As she looked at him questioningly, failing to catch his eye, she noticed another strange thing – Snape had washed his hair! As well as his skin had a rather fine, healthy glow, accenting his mysterious black eyes.

Hermione managed to clear her mind as everyone set to work. She did not want to screw things up; for she was sure that that would give Snape an excuse to talk with her – which she did not want.

Snape walked around, looking at everyone's work and what he said to Neville astonished her most, "You're getting along well, Longbottom and come see me after class."

Neville, surprised at his teacher's praise, flushed and trembled at the same time.

Snape moved to stand behind Hermione and Millicent. Hermione feared that he might speak to her, but to her relief, he spoke only with her partner and that was nothing worth noting. She was grateful when class was over, breathing a sigh of relief. She ran, dropping her favourite quill behind her in her haste.