A/N- Wow this was two chapters in one weekend! And yet another cliffhanger...I'll post again ASAP!

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Disclaimer- Sadly, HP is not mine...

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Hermione and Severus pulled away from the kiss. She smiled and blushed slightly.

"I really don't care what people think anymore. If we get caught, we get caught. I just know that these times with you have been the happiest I ever felt."

Severus smiled.

"I feel exactly the same way," he whispered. "Now, we should get started on our fabulous meal."

Hermione began to eat, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. This surprise had really cheered her up. But her mind was still on Harry. Was he even alive?

As if he could read her mind, Severus spoke up.

"You're still worried. I can see it in your eyes. But please don't tear yourself away from the rest of the world. We are all doing our best."

She nodded and continued eating.

Soon the two were finished eating.

Severus helped Hermione out of her chair.

"Would you like to go outside for a walk?"

She nodded again. "Sure."

They exited the Great Hall and made their way to the grounds. It was quite chilly outside. Hermione shivered. Severus wrapped his arm around her shoulders. They strolled along the lake. They then sat down on the edge of it, just enjoying the scenery.

Severus peered into Hermione's eyes.

"You're so beautiful."

"Thank you Severus." There was a long pause. Then Hermione sighed.

"You know, I think I always knew deep down in my heart that we were meant to be together. I've always been more mature than everyone else. They all see me as Hermione the bookworm. There's no one else that really values learning and knowledge. Then there's you. You used to be so cold. But now you've changed, and I see the real you. And I know you're older and people will object. But I see us as on the same level. And you've made me so happy. I just wanted to say thank you."

"I feel the same way."

They kissed again under the stars by the moonlit lake. Little did they know that their happiness would not last for long.

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Hermione met Ron in the Great Hall the next day before classes started. He looked horrible. She knew how much he missed Harry. She greeted him with a hug.

"How are you, Ron?"

"Alright. And you?"

"Pretty good. Tell Ginny when you see her that I want to talk to her."

Ron's face was puzzled. "OK."

The day flew by. One thing was for certain; Hermione's mind was not there. Half the time she was worrying about Harry. The other half she was daydreaming about Snape. Or Severus, as she now called him. Until Potions class, of course. They had begun reviewing for their NEWTs, which were quickly approaching. Today they were making a Forgetfulness Potion, which was something Hermione had known how to do since her first year. She was the first done. Soon the class was over.

"Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, can I please speak with the two of you?"

Ron looked at Hermione. "What does the overgrown bat want? I don't think we did anything wrong."

Hermione didn't say anything.

"Dumbledore is having a teacher's meeting about what we can do about Potter's absence. He asked that the two of you attend. Let's go."

He swiftly strode out of the room. They followed him to Dumbledore's office. The password had now changed to "Fruity Gummies".

All the other teachers were already in the intricate, circular, golden room. Dumbledore gave them a weak smile, but there was no twinkle in his eye.

"Ron, Hermione. I just wanted to see how the two of you were faring."

They looked at each other. Hermione spoke.

"This is pretty hard. Harry is our best friend. We miss him and we're incredibly worried."

Ron nodded in agreement.

"We are doing our best," Dumbledore spoke. All of a sudden Hermione felt angry.

"Yes, that's what I keep being told. But what exactly are you doing?"

"We have search parties out as we speak..."

"But where are they searching? Are we really sure that he's not in the castle?"

All of a sudden an idea occurred to her.

"Has anyone checked the Chamber of Secrets?"

The teachers looked at one another.

"No, we haven't," McGonagall spoke. "But we should. However, none of us can speak Parseltongue."

"I'll check the library," Hermione said. And with that, she ran out of the room. She arrived at the library, out of breath but excited. What if she was right and Harry was there?

The room was unusually quiet and empty. There was a book lying in the middle of the floor. She approached it slowly.

A Guide to Curses and Curse Scars

That was strange. Hermione knelt down to pick it up. However, as soon as she touched it she felt a familiar pull behind her bellybutton. She knew it was a Portkey and she was traveling, flying.