A/N: Thanks to all those who reviewed, as well my beta Marjorie. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well.

Hermione sat near the window that night, her bushy brown locks flying in the cool breeze that poured into the room. Lavender, Parvati and Ginny were all huddled up in her bed, munching on all the chocolate they had received from their dates. It was getting late but she thought that it was fun to have some company at this time of the night. Also they could afford to stay up late as there would be no classes tomorrow.

She could hear them giggling and talking about their boyfriends, discussing what they did after the dance was over. She wasn't usually in the mood for this type of gossip but she was contented tonight, so she didn't really mind listening to them. She had had a lot of fun at the dance and she was even starting to forget about Viktor. Great, she thought. I'm finally able to move on with my life.

Lavender's voice broke into her thoughts. "Hey, Hermione," she swallowed some chocolate and tossed her one, too. "Why don't you come and join us here?"

"Um, no, thanks, I'm all right here," Hermione smiled as she unwrapped the chocolate.

"Is it my imagination or was Snape staring at you all evening?" Parvati said suddenly.

At this, Hermione froze. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"Well, I was dancing with Edward and all the while, I saw Snape in the corner, downing punch after punch, staring...or should I say, glaring at you."

"Well, that's strange," frowned Ginny. "Did you do anything to piss him off recently?"

Hermione snorted. "No!" she exclaimed and all of a sudden her good mood was gone. She muttered under her breath, "I wish he'd leave me alone!"

To her dismay, the other girls heard her and they were interested.

"What's that, Hermione?" Lavender quirked an eyebrow. "You wish he'd leave you alone?"

"Oh, that was nothing!" Hermione began to blush.

"You're blushing, Hermione," Ginny pointed out the obvious. "Come one, tell us what happened. Do you...have a crush on Snape?" She meant it as a joke and the others made a face and started laughing. "Ew! Snape?"

Hermione chuckled and said, "No, I assure you, that's not the case."

"Then what is it?" Parvati pressed.

"It's nothing! Listen, you all know what a grudge Snape has against Gryffindors and how he can't stand to watch his students having fun...especially when he himself had no one to dance with."

"Hmm, that's possible," said Ginny and Hermione was relieved that the other girls believed her. And after all, she hadn't been lying, had she? She changed the subject then. "So tell us about the things you girls did after the dance," she smiled.

Parvati rolled her eyes. "Weren't you listening? We've been talking about that for the last fifteen minutes. Why don't you just tell us about what you did?"

That was all right. "Well, I danced with Harry and Ron," said Hermione. "And then for the last two dances, I was with Tristan Condor from Hufflepuff."

"Oh, yes!" Lavender clasped her hands together. "I did see the two of you having fun together. So what else did you do?"

"Well, that's about it. I had some dinner and Tristan walked me to the Gryffindor dorm." Hermione smiled. "He's such a gentleman. I think we might be going to Hogsmead together on the weekend."

"You go, girl!" Ginny laughed.

Hermione grinned again. She'd finally met another man she liked. And she wouldn't let Viktor or Snape ruin it.