Hermione did not go into Hogsmeade after all that day, neither to buy a Pensieve or to have tea with Ginny Weasley. When she talked to her by floo, Ginny was on her way out the door for practice and wouldn't be home until later in the afternoon.
She took a long soak in her luxurious bathtub where she thought about Severus and what she was going to say to him later. She refused to avoid him, no matter how afraid she was to face him. She had faced worse, full grown Death Eaters as well as thirteen-year-old witches and wizards, so she could handle one Potions Master she had slept with during a momentary lack of judgment.
Ron'll kill me, then him. Harry'd probably just laugh, he'd find it funny, no doubt.
She lay back into the warm bubbles, stretching her legs the length of the bath. She still couldn't believe it had happened, that she had gone to bed with Severus Snape, the greasy git who terrorized her as an eleven-year-old, who still scared her twelve years later, and she still had no idea what to say to him.
Well, I can't deny that I do like Severus, and enjoy his company, she decided, but it was a mistake to sleep with him. Perhaps I'll tell him, in a tactful manner. But he might get mad. Or maybe he'll be relieved because I don't want a relationship with him. Merlin's beard!
It was all too much to think about right now. Her fingers and toes shriveled into prunes, and she finally left the cooling water. She wrapped a towel around her hair and used another to dry herself off, before going back to her bedroom and changing into a pair of jeans and a dark green sweater and then pulling on her heavy cloak.
Hermione decided to go into London to visit with her parents, something she hadn't done in a long time. It wasn't that she disliked her parents, in fact, quite the opposite. But more and more it seemed they had nothing in common, aside from being related. Since it was New Year's Eve, her parents had taken the day off from their dental practice and the three of them went out for lunch. When the conversation dwindled, they said goodbye and Hermione went to Diagon Alley, where she visited Flourish & Blotts and purchased two books. Afterwards, she stopped by Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor where she ordered a large hot fudge sundae, which greatly improved her mood.
She apparated to the outskirts of Hogsmeade and decided to face Severus sooner rather than later. Her mind raced as she walked the snow-covered path, her fists deep in her cloak, but she had not come up with anything by the time she reached the doors to the entrance hall and she took a deep breath before starting down the stairs into the dungeons. Each footfall echoed off the stones too loudly, and she became painfully self conscious as she walked down the long corridor. She faltered at the door, her resolve slipping.
Come on, Granger, you can handle this.
She took another deep breath and turned the handle, her eyes scanning for him, found him in his usual chair, a thick book in his slender hands, and Severus looked up when the door clicked shut.
Hermione stopped breathing as their eyes met, a painful clutching at her heart forced her lungs to respire, and she managed a weak "Hi."
"Good afternoon," he allowed, his voice gentler than usual. "How was Hogsmeade?"
"Oh, I went to London." She started towards the other chair and said, "Visited my parents, then went by Flourish & Blotts instead."
His eyes followed her, dark and unreadable, as she sat down.
"What did you purchase?"
She had already forgotten the titles and had to look at the books. "Um, A New Appraisal of Magical Education in Europe --" he snorted unceremoniously "--and Theories of Transubstantial Transfiguration."
"Planning on taking over Minerva's job, are you?" he drawled, a small smile evident on his face.
"No, I just enjoy transfiguration still," she continued, not noticing the smile shifting to a smirk, "especially molecular transfiguration with regard to physics."
"How fascinating."
"Well, you asked." He harrumphed and returned to his book. After a few moments, she asked, "Did you accomplish anything today?"
"I spent several hours in the library, searching the Restricted Section for applications on St. John's Wort. However, I failed to find anything worthwhile."
"That's an interesting thought, actually. Perhaps I'll take a look around later," she said and he nodded. "How close is the next potion to testing?"
"Not until after classes start, the second Tuesday I believe."
"Damn. I want to take a batch and add an infusion of mandrake juice."
"I have considered that myself," Severus said, not looking up from his book, "but I have doubts as to the effectiveness."
"Until we try it, there will be doubts. Besides, I will only need one dosage of it."
"Very well."
A silence fell between them, and Hermione fidgeted with her books as she sat there, stealing occasional glances at him. He was engrossed in reading and did not notice her. She certainly had not expected him to be so conversational, and briefly considered bringing up the subject of last night and just as quickly dismissed it.
She went to check on the mortalis fallax, all four cauldrons. While they had been working separately in the laboratory, each had begun their own cauldrons with which to experiment. She glanced into his cauldron, noted the reddish-orange state and picked up his notes.
"Severus, is this supposed to be orange?"
"What?" he barked, his eyes jumping to the cauldron before her.
"I don't think it should be this color, considering the tarantula eggs you just added today."
He leapt from his chair and strode across the room, his eyes blazing when he saw she was right, that something had corrupted his potion. He glared at the cauldron and Hermione recognized that look, for she had been on the receiving end more times than she cared to remember. He spun on his heel, robes flapping out and he stormed from the room, slamming the door behind him.
Hermione stared after him, then shrugged and went to her own potion which was a dark green and bubbled happily. She glanced down at her notes and saw that it was time to add the ground beetles. She reached for the bowl and measured out the precise amount, then stirred it in, pleased when blue swirls appeared.
The door flew open as Severus returned, holding a small vial. He went to his cauldron and poured in two drops of the clear liquid, his face losing all color when the potion hissed and spat.
"Fuck!"
"What happened?" she asked cautiously from across the room.
He ignored her, instead pulling his wand and muttering a cooling charm before seizing the cauldron and heaving it violently into the sink behind him, the now ruined potion sloshing out onto the counters and splattering on the floor.
"Do you feel better now?" Hermione asked, as she walked up to him. "Now that you've made a mess?"
He scowled at her, pulled out his wand and crouched down, muttering, "Detergeo." Blue light shot out of the tip and the orange potion disappeared. He repeated the process on the counters and turned to her, his voice sharp. "Happy?"
"Going to tell me what happened?" she asked.
"I corrupted the potion and it was no longer any use."
"Thanks, I surmised as much. What was the contaminant?"
"It was -- I nicked my thumb while slicing the caterpillars and did not realize my blood contaminated them until after they were already added." He did not look at her as he spoke, and she was surprised that he would tell her any of this. "There was no immediate reaction so I thought perhaps it was a trivial amount and nothing would come of it."
"The blood must have reacted with the eggs, but not with anything else. I wonder why," she mused and Severus glanced at her, surprised that she did not berate him for the mistake.
He cleared his throat, as well as the expression from his face. "That is curious, but I do not think it is of any consequence. I shall have to restart the potion."
"Accidents happen. It's alright."
"No it's not, it's waste of time and ingredients."
"The school pays for the ingredients, and you have more time." He scowled and she smiled, her voice playful as she added, "It's not as if you have a New Year's Eve party to go to."
His scowl deepened and he strode over to the ingredients table. "I suppose you do," he sneered.
"Well, Anne did invite me to join her and Vasily and some of her friends at the Three Broomsticks. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you wanted to join me."
He gave her a withering stare from across the room. "Thank you, but no. I am not interested in getting drunk with complete strangers."
"Then how about a drink with me? Later?" she asked, staring down at her hands. After a long silence, she looked up at his hunched shoulders and thought he wasn't going to answer her.
"Yes," he said to the knife and caterpillars on the table before him. "I will have a drink with you."
"Good. Then I will go to Hogsmeade with Anne, then return here before midnight."
He did not say anything as he concentrated on his sliced caterpillars, and Hermione realized Ginny would be at home and she could talk to her via floo. She excused herself and made her way to her office upstairs.
Hermione tossed a pinch of floo powder into the fireplace and stuck her head in when the flames roared green. "Twenty-one Wellington Park," she said, squeezing her eyes shut as fireplaces began to spin before her.
When the movement stopped, she opened her eyes to a quaint living room with an emerald green sofa and a mahogany table before it. A large bouquet of red roses filled a crystal vase on the table.
"Ginny?"
"That you, Hermione?" came a muffled cry from the left, and suddenly Ginny Weasley burst into view, and she perched on the edge of the table. "'Mione! How are you?"
"Oh, could be worse. How are you? And who sent you the gorgeous roses?"
Ginny blushed, her cheeks burning. "Well, they're from Neville."
"Neville?" Hermione practically squealed. "You never mentioned anything about Neville!"
"Well, we just started going out and I didn't want to jinx it or anything," Ginny said with a grin. "Oh Hermione, he's so wonderful. I can't believe I never really looked at him when we were at Hogwarts."
"That's so great, Ginny! I always knew he had a crush on you."
"You did? Why didn't you tell me?!"
Hermione grinned, saying, "You were too worried over Harry back then."
"Probably," she said. "Oh, before I forget, I'll be starting my first match with the Cannons. It's the second Thursday in February, and Harry and Ron are going to be there. You'll need to invite Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall, of course."
"I wouldn't miss it! And neither would Albus or Minerva, I'm sure."
"So what did you want to talk about?" Ginny asked, and Hermione remembered why she had called in the beginning. "You seemed a bit frazzled this morning."
"I would say I was a lot frazzled actually." Ginny's eyebrows perked and Hermione sighed. "Ginny, you've got to promise not to repeat this to Harry or Ron, or I'll kill the lot of you."
"'Course, you can trust me."
She took a deep breath then the words ran out before she could grab hold of them. "I slept with Snape last night."
"Hermione Granger!" Ginny gasped, the look on her face a mixture of horror and disbelief. "Tell me you're joking, that this is a terrible joke!"
She shook her head and looked at the wood floor before her. "I guess it's as bad as I thought it was."
"Well, are you going to tell me what happened?" she asked, her voice a tad impatient. "It might not be that bad."
"Thanks, Gin, but I don't believe you. Well, I kissed him --" she ignored Ginny's look "-- the day before we came to the Burrow. I was upset, I shouldn't have done it, and we pretty much ignored it. After I disappeared with Harry, he was angry, really mad at me."
"Trust me, we noticed."
"He avoided me for nearly a week until I confronted him last night, and we argued and made up and I kissed him again and then I spent the night."
"And what happened today? Have you talked to him?"
"I left this morning, didn't really talk to him then, but I just spent some time with him in the lab and everything seemed to be back to normal."
"He seemed normal?"
Hermione thought for a moment before answering, "Well, he did seem nicer than usual, even though he threw a tantrum over a ruined potion. And we're going to have a drink for New Year's Eve."
"A drink? Hermione Granger, are you trying to sleep with him again?"
"No!" she cried, looking sharply at her friend. "Why would I?"
"Well, you don't seem as horrified as I would hope for having just slept with such a greasy git.… Do you like him?" Hermione chewed her bottom lip and didn't answer. "You do like him then."
"He's so smart, Ginny. And he's got a sharp wit, too, and --"
"And he's an utter bastard who enjoys tormenting children," Ginny retorted. "Don't forget that."
"He's different once you get to know him."
"If you say so, Hermione," she said, the look in her eyes revealing she didn't fully believe her. "I think you need to be careful with Snape, I really do."
"You're right, I know."
They sat in silence for a moment until Ginny's eyes sparkled and she asked, "So, how was it?"
Hermione turned a hundred shades of red and sputtered, "What?"
"Oh, come on, 'Mione!" An evil grin spread across her face as she continued, "You can't drop that bombshell on me and not expect me to find out just how good Snape is in the sack!"
"He was good, really good," Hermione admitted finally, her cheeks still pink.
Sighing, Ginny said, "Well, if you sleep with him again, I guess you can bring him to the game."
Draco smirked as he neared the Hogwarts gates, glancing back at Archibald Bole, one of his contacts at the Ministry. It was Bole who had arranged this last-minute Hogwarts inspection on New Year's Eve. He was actually looking forward to this confrontation with Snape, as well as seeing Granger, to see how the memory charm was holding.
He ran a hand through his white blonde hair as he approached the steps to the great oak doors. He was dressed smartly today, his long black cloak over a pair of khaki slacks, and a dark green v-neck with an open white collar underneath. He thanked Merlin again that he did not have Lucius's sense of style with the high-necked collars and suits. Regardless of their magical limitations, Muggles did have better fashion, he was not afraid to admit.
He threw open the doors, Bole not far behind, and he strolled into the castle, pulling himself up to his full height as Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall descended the stairs in front of him.
"Professor Dumbledore, how lovely to see you," he drawled, a smile turning up the corner of his mouth as he stopped to greet them. "And Professor McGonagall as well, what a nice surprise."
"Draco," the old man said, lowering his nose and staring over his lenses at Draco while McGonagall hovered over his shoulder. "I must say I am not surprised to see you here."
"Professor Dumbledore, I am Archibald Bole, the Ministry's Chief Nutrition Inspector," Bole introduced himself. "I believe you were informed of this visit."
"Of course, Mister Bole, I received your owl only moments ago."
Dumbledore nodded at McGonagall as he guided the other man towards the kitchens. Draco smirked at her and turned to the dungeons, calling out to her over his shoulder.
"As lovely as it has been to see you, Professor, I do think I will pay my old Head of House a visit, if you don't mind."
"Not at all, Malfoy. In fact, I think I shall accompany you, in case you get lost on your way," she responded, smiling benignly at him.
He had expected an escort while he was in the school, so he was not perturbed by her decision and he continued on with McGonagall close behind.
It was eerie how familiar it all seemed, though he had not been back to the dungeons since graduation. He stopped first at Snape's classroom, but it was empty, and the office beyond was dark. He continued down the corridor to the old converted classroom, where Draco had received innumerable hours of after-school lessons from Snape, on dark potions and more advanced work than the other N.E.W.T. Level Potions students, lessons that he was now passing on to Harry Potter.
He opened the door, letting it swing back against the stone wall with a thud, and Hermione leapt up from her chair by the fire.
"Malfoy!" she exclaimed. "What the fuck are you doing here?"
"Oh, just a routine nutrition inspection, nothing extraordinary," he drawled, his cold eyes surveying the room, taking mental stock of everything he saw. "Having a lovely New Year's Eve, Granger?"
She ignored him as she crossed the room to stand between him and the potions.
"Hermione, I'm going to find Severus," McGonagall called from the doorway.
"What a pleasant idea. We can just have a little New Year's Eve get-together down here in the dungeons."
Draco circled, a vulture watching over his prey, just barely out of reach, and Hermione stayed with him, not allowing him a moment with any of the information. He turned to another table and stopped at Severus's notebook which lay open to the latest test results with the mortals fallax, his finger grazing the paper.
"Accio!" she shouted, easily grabbing the book as it sailed to her.
"Working on unregistered potions, are we? Is the Ministry aware of your … experiments here?"
"Why don't you ask your cronies in the Ministry, Malfoy?" Hermione snarled. "Isn't that what you pay them for?"
"Temper, temper, Granger," he shushed her and smiled. "I'm just curious, nothing more. I am rather surprised that you would work with Snape at all."
She didn't say anything, simply glared. Draco twitched his wand behind his back and a cauldron exploded across the room.
"Shit!" Hermione exclaimed and rushed over, not seeing Draco swiftly withdraw a vial and dip it into the cauldron before him. He then capped the vial and returned it and his wand back into an inner pocket of his cloak.
He sauntered over to her and drawled, "You should be more careful with your potions."
The door slammed open and Severus stormed in, his robes flaring behind him, with Minerva at his heels. Draco turned, a nasty smile spreading across his pale features and he crossed the room to face Severus. Hermione jumped up from the cauldron on the floor and stood off to Draco's side.
"Ahh, Professor Snape. How good it is to see you looking so … well."
"Malfoy," he purred in reply, and Hermione recognized the danger in his voice. He was just as angry about Draco's sudden appearance as she. "To what do I owe this unexpected … misfortune?"
"I'm just here with Archibald Bole, you remember him surely, and I thought it would be nice to visit my dear Head of House and reminisce about the good old days at Hogwarts." His gray eyes narrowed and his mouth curved up. "And my father Lucius. Surely you haven't forgotten him."
"Of course not, Draco. I don't think I shall ever forget your father." His lips pursed slightly before a slow, vicious smile drew his lips into a tight line. "Or the feel of his neck snapping in my hands. I only wish he hadn't died so quickly."
Draco snarled, his hand diving into his cloak for his wand, but Hermione was quicker, her wand at his throat while he was beginning to reach for Snape. She glanced over and saw McGonagall's wand pointed at him as well.
"I don't think so, Malfoy," Hermione hissed. "I believe it's time you were going."
With a look of pure venom, Draco started to the door, eyes tearing into Severus and Minerva in turn as he passed. They followed him back to the Great Hall, where Dumbledore was chatting pleasantly with Bole.
"Thank you again for the visit," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling at Draco. "I trust you found everything in order."
"Yes, of course," the Ministry man answered. "I expected nothing less from your competent house elves. Mister Malfoy, is there anything else?"
"No, I am finished here," he spat, a look of disgust on his face as he stared at Dumbledore, then he turned on his heel and marched out the front doors, the inspector saying a hurried goodbye and following him.
The remaining four watched them leave and said nothing for a moment.
"He was very interested in the potion," Hermione said at last.
"I should think he would be," Dumbledore murmured. "Two brilliant potions minds working in collusion on a secret potion. As a matter of fact, I am surprised that Mister Malfoy has not visited us sooner."
"No doubt Voldemort will be apprised within hours," Severus said, his brow furrowed as he stared at the front door.
"Merlin, I hate when you do that," McGonagall exclaimed.
"Do what?" he asked, feigning ignorance.
"You know exactly what," she retorted. "Some of us are still not used to hearing his name."
Dumbledore cleared his throat and all eyes turned to him as he looked from Severus to Hermione. "I presume you both realize that efforts must be speeded up on the potion. Time is now of the essence." Both nodded. "Perhaps it would be useful to lighten your course loads."
"And who would you have teach my classes?" Severus snarled with a ferocity that surprised Hermione, given that she had always thought he despised teaching and resented his students for taking him away from time with his potions.
"Myself, of course," Dumbledore replied, eyes twinkling.
"No! I have told you before, you are not allowed in my dungeons! There is no one in this school competent enough to teach even the first years!"
"Calm yourself, Severus, it was only a suggestion." His blue eyes moved back to Hermione, a smile twitching under his white beard. "And do you feel so possessively about your classes, Professor Granger?"
Hermione smothered a laugh as she chanced a look at Severus. He scowled back at her, then at McGonagall, who merely shrugged.
"No, I don't. Nearly anyone could teach the first- and second-years, I believe."
"Would you be offended by my teaching those classes?" he asked, his eyes twinkling again, and he ignored the daggers Severus's black eyes threw at him.
"Of course not, Headmaster," she said. "It would be helpful to have those few hours more to work on the potion."
"Very good. We shall discuss this further before the term begins."
"If that is all, I must return to the dungeons to determine what Malfoy might have seen."
"Severus, wait. I need to talk with all three of you about something," Hermione said, and Dumbledore and McGonagall exchanged quizzical looks when he grudgingly returned. "I spoke with Ginny Weasley this afternoon, and she has invited the four of us to her next quidditch match in February."
"How exciting!" McGonagall exclaimed. "Of course we'll go!"
"Speak for yourself." Severus sneered, "I have no interest in seeing such an awful team, simply on account of a Weasley."
"Harry and Ron will be there as well," Hermione added.
"That settles it. I will undoubtedly not attend."
"That is so unfair!" she said as she turned to him, her hands balling into fists at her sides. "You should stop acting like such a child about my friends!"
Severus bristled visibly and his voice lowered as he glared at her as he argued back, "Your friends need to learn to act like adults instead of teenagers all the time!"
"Maybe if you wouldn't taunt them even now, they might be nicer to you!"
Dumbledore watched with a broad smile as they bickered, noticed that Severus treated her more gently than he did anyone else, if only just. His eyes met McGonagall's and they shared a look of amusement, then cleared his throat and Severus and Hermione finally quieted down.
"Severus, I believe it would be a good experience for you. I must request your attendance to Miss Weasley's quidditch match."
"Request or require?" he hissed, his look of hatred one that would scare even the bravest of souls.
Dumbledore didn't answer, just smiled at him and turned to McGonagall. "Well Minerva, shall we go finish our tea?"
Hermione went to the Three Broomsticks with Vasily and Anne, and they met six or seven other witches and wizards from Hogsmeade and London and she drank until she realized it was well after eleven. She excused herself, enduring teasing from the group since she was leaving before midnight, but she did not offer her reasons for going.
She hurried back to Hogwarts, her coat wrapped around tight, focusing her attention on the path and staying upright. One heel wedged itself between two stones and she teetered for a long second until it came loose and she only trotted forward a few steps before she regained her balance. The two glasses of firewhiskey were kicking in now that she was up and moving.
Finally she made it to the castle, heels slipping a bit as she crossed the entrance hall, so she stopped and took them off. She continued to the dungeons, her footsteps muffled as she made her way to the lab as she held her shoes. She opened the door to an empty room, and her shoulders drooped until she spied a piece of parchment in her chair.
"Accio," she called impatiently and the folded note jumped to her waiting hand and she opened it.
If you are still up for the drink, please join me in my quarters. Use the faded black book on the second shelf.
She turned immediately to the bookshelves and spotted that particular book. She had not really noticed the book before, and she wondered if there was a spell on it to reflect unwanted attention. She would have to ask Severus. She reached out hesitantly, then ran a finger down the book's worn spine, stepping back when the shelves began to slide open.
She walked out into the corridor and turned left, towards his quarters. She stopped at his door, taking a deep breath, steeling herself.
I'm not going to sleep with him again. I won't. I can't.
She knocked on the heavy wood, gently at first, and then louder when there was no reply. She reached down to twist the knob but the door swung open.
"Hi," she said, her throat suddenly going dry at the sight of him, standing in his white shirt and black pants, his pale chest peaking through the top few buttons that lay open, the formal suit coat he normally wore strewn carelessly on a chair. When he cocked an eyebrow as he saw she was carrying her shoes rather than wear them, Hermione grinned shyly.
"Good evening."
"Sorry I'm so late, I lost track of time."
"The thought crossed my mind that you were going to stay in Hogsmeade with your … friends." His eyes were dark like shimmering coals and her stomach jerked.
"I know, I meant to leave before eleven." She smiled and raised an eyebrow hopefully and said, "But it's still a few minutes 'til midnight, if you still want to have that drink."
Severus stood aside wordlessly and allowed her to enter, followed her to the sofa where she perched, watching the fire that flickered in the fireplace. He sat on the couch near her, she could feel his eyes still burning into her before he turned to the bottle of scotch and two glasses on the table before them, pouring a generous amount in each.
She took her drink with thanks, and they raised glasses.
"To what's left of the holidays and no students," she toasted, catching a fleeting grin cross his features.
"I can drink to that."
Hermione took a mouthful, letting the liquid roll around on her tongue before letting it burn its way down her throat, then took another drink. She felt the alcohol tear through her blood and her fingers and toes tingled.
"I wish you would have come with us tonight," she said. "You might have enjoyed yourself."
He laughed once, an abrupt, humorless sound. "I would have expected you, with your razor sharp intellect and keen auror instincts, to notice my aversion to social gatherings long before now. I am disappointed in you, Hermione."
At the sound of her own name, her eyes flitted to his and she was surprised by the smug smile on his face. She allowed a half a smile before turning her attention back to her glass and she took another drink, her head buzzing. The clock on the mantle chimed midnight and she turned to him.
"Happy New Year's," Hermione said, facing him on the couch.
Severus was watching her, had been for some time, his black eyes intense, and his arm slid along the back of the couch as he scooted across the leather towards her.
"I believe a kiss is customary," he murmured, his voice silky, "to welcome in the new year."
She couldn't help but nod though she was tongue-tied as his eyes locked with hers and he leaned in, his lips brushed hers and his hand wound itself in her hair, easing her towards him. The kiss deepened and she threw her arms around his neck and twisted her fingers into his hair. She could taste the scotch on his tongue and her head spun as his free hand glided up her back.
Through the haze in her head, Hermione remembered her earlier promise to herself and pulled away from his lips. His eyes questioned her as she extracted herself from him.
"I think I need to go lay down. I'm not feeling too well," she added when the look in his eyes turned skeptical. "I'm sorry."
"Would you like me to escort you back?" he asked, a note of concern in his voice.
"No, I can make it alright, but thanks. And thank you for the drink."
His eyes turned cloudy as he moved back to the corner of the sofa. "Of course."
She left with a soft "Good night" and he heard the door click after her. He downed the last of his scotch and poured another generous glass.
It's better that she left. Sleeping with Granger was a mistake I should not repeat.
The thought kept running through his mind as he took a drink before the crackling fire. Perhaps if he continued to repeat the thought, he would start to believe it.
___
A/N:
Hey look! It's only 10 days after the last update! And it's even longer than the longest chapter before! The next couple of chapters are all congealing in my head, so hopefully can get it up to one chapter a week for the next few weeks. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews … they helped me recover my confidence, which had wavered after Ch 19.
Katie, the chemistry kid, thanks for the criticism! To be honest with you, I absolutely loathe chemistry. In fact, the only reason I got an A in that class was because my dad was my teacher and I had a 24 hr tutor! But then I forgot most of it after that year. I reworded it a tad, so hopefully it will be satisfactory!
Again, don't forget you can turn on author alerts from the menu at the bottom if you want to know when the next chapter comes out, or you can leave me your email and I'll add you to the list.