Author's Note: I'm keeping this R for a while, since I can't decide what rating it should be. To thank my wonderful reviewers, here's chapter 10! I know a contradict myself a little in this, but I think the story needed it.

Hermione's eyes searched his face, curious. "What is it, sir?"

What was he doing, anyway? "Don't forget to take your potion tonight."

She nodded. "I'll be in the library, doing homework."

"You should rest." He said stubbornly. "You can't afford any more accidents. The Order needs you." I need you. I've been so alone for so long.

"I'll be alright." She reassured him, and picked up her book bag. She supposed it was the drugs, but she felt fine. Throwing on the invisibility cloak, she stepped out into the hall, searching for students in the dim corridor. Seeing none, she hid in a broom closet. The library was the last thing on her mind.

Pulling the tiny hourglass out of the bag, she pushed the bag behind the brooms in the closet. She turned it twice and waited for the brief period of dizziness to pass. She stepped out of the closet, checking to make sure the cloak was in place. All the other students were at dinner.

"Good," she whispered. "This is good." How was she supposed to get in without him noticing her? She had to know what happened, despite the fact that on her part, this was sneaky and wrong. Hermione felt terrible, wondering if she wanted to know what really happened. She didn't like betraying his trust.

According to her watch, it was about a quarter to five. She sat next to the office door, waiting. She could hear his footsteps, and once or twice he startled her, coming out into the classroom for more vials, graded parchment in hand. Off in the distance, the clock chimed five o clock, and she heard the chair rub against the floor as he stood up. The door to the living room slammed. She waited a minute, and then crept through the office. He was standing in her room. "Miss Granger!" She could hear the water running in the background. "Oh for... I can't face this! I can't handle this!" He stood at the bathroom door, kneading his robes, in a total panic. He raised his wand. In horror it dawned on her what he was going to do.

She concentrated all her fear on keeping herself out of this. She closed her eyes, scrunched her face, and waited. Nothing happened. Finally she heard in her ears rather than her mind, the door open. She let out a quiet sigh of relief.

He stared at her in horror, taking in the sight before him. She shivered at the sight of herself. If he hadn't come in time... her side tingled as he rolled her over gently, hissing at her head. Seeing no further harm, he turned off the water and wrapped her head in a towel. Hermione ignored the throbbing her head felt. She held her breath as he picked her up, limp as a rag doll. He staggered a little, and she backed up quietly, avoiding a collision. He laid her down carefully, placing a quilt over her. Whatever he gave her made her come around. That was all Hermione needed to see. She was humiliated, and felt both her faces going red. It was so silly of her to expect him to lie to her about the incident when he was in charge of her care. She'd wronged him even thinking the thoughts she had. He would no sooner take advantage of her then any other teacher. She felt as if she'd committed a terrible crime. She slipped out the open door, and went back to the closet, where she slumped against the wall, and let the tears roll.

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Hermione came to her senses when the clock struck eight. She got up, wincing at the soreness in her body, and went back, taking off the cloak as she came in the door.

"Where were you? You've been gone over an hour." He got up from the couch, worried. She could see he'd worked himself up over her. His voice was quiet, a little cold even, but she could hear the relief at knowing she was safe.

"I'm sorry." She found she couldn't look him in the eye.

"Are you alright?" She could hear his steps coming closer. "Miss Granger. Is there something I should know?" His voice was gentle, soft. She'd never heard him talk like that before. I don't deserve this kind of treatment. If he only knew what I did!

She brushed by, feeling her eyes sting from her salty tears. She sank onto the futon and sobbed.

He stared, letting his resistance fall away. He'd never seen her like this. She was so much easier to care for when she was out cold. Once again, he found himself sitting awkwardly next to her. He pushed his greasy hair out of his face.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He inquired, wondering where to start this. She looked up, meeting confused black eyes.

"You don't deserve to have to put up with me." She stated firmly.

"Don't say that. I've never felt better in my life." Amber eyes met his own. A tear rolled down her cheek. Hesitantly, he reached out. Hermione felt herself holding her breath as he wiped it off, his eyes looking down when his fingers met the smooth skin on her face. He began to lower his hand, and she caught it.

"Thank you." She whispered softly. His hand was surprisingly warm. She found it was her turn to look away as she let go of it slowly. They sat there, thinking.

"You must really have a sad life if being my keeper is the best it get." She smiled a little. He found himself chuckling, and she giggled. They began to laugh, and when Hermione fell off the futon, they only laughed harder.

He offered her his hand, and she stood up. She watched as he folded the couch again. She tried to ignore the growing feeling that he was quite nice, handsome in a dark mysterious way. "I really should get a different couch." He mused. "I don't see how you sleep on this."

"It isn't bad, really." She smiled. He found that something inside him seemed to lift.

"You must be starving. How about dinner?" He offered, scolding himself for forgetting that not everyone had his appetite.

"It's a deal."