Hello All, I don't own Harry Potter, but hello no one does...but you know the creator. Anywho, the spelling is going to really stink in this one. I messed up in my editing and lost my corrected copy my beta sent me. So I know everyone is waiting for this so here you go.

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Final Test:

Getting Back To Work

Hermione spent another day in the hospital wing before Albus would allow Poppy to let her go back to her rooms. It was another few days before she was able to return to work. Severus had checked in on her after every class. He inssistaed that she attened every meal and take time after her classes to rest. It was never determand what caused her to pass out and he didn't wish it to happen again.

Hermione was enjoying the attention she was receving but she wished they would back off a little. She was beginning to feel smothered by both Albus and Severus. She knew their attention was warranted but she still wished to have some time alone. Severus understood this but Albus would hear none of it. He inssited that she have someone with her at all times. While she was in class she was fine because of the students but when she was in her rooms she was to have another teacher or a house-elf. Hermione protested the use of a house-elf, but lost the battle with Albus.

When it was Severus turn to 'watch' over her he let her alone. He understood that she was being smuthered by the rest of the staff and didn't want to add to it. He sat in with her after every supper and stayed until she fell asleep. They spent this time grading papers and working on lessons. The revilations from the night on the tower was ignored, but only in words. The tention between them was strong, anyone could see that. By the end of Severus' shift they would be in each other's arms on the couch, Hermione asleep and him running his fingers though her hair. Before he left for the night he would make sure she was in bed, warm and safe.

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Hermione walked around her class room watching her students perfecting their defence sheilds, fifth years Hufflepuff and Gryffindor. She was glade none of the students knew of what happened over two weeks ago. Albus had informed them that she had fallen ill and that was all. Harry and Ron had come to visit her a few times but each time she wasn't up to seeing them. During her advance classes they didn't get a chance to speak either. It hurt her to be so distant with them, but she knew that just wasn't ready to speak with them.

"That will do, students. I want a 3 foot essay on the reason for the Defence Sheild and when and how it is used and made. Due Friday." she sighed. "You are excused."

The class left the room. Hermione loved when she was alone. It never lasted long before another class arrived or one of the other staff would come in and check up on her. She silently cursed Albus for telling them she has collasped. A quiet knock came from her door. "Enter."

"Hey Hermione." came a males voice. She looked up from her papers and saw the dark haired, green eye 'boy wonder.'

"Hello, Mr. Potter. I do wish you would address me as Professor or Miss Granger. You wouldn't go up to McGonagall and say 'Hey Minerva', would you?"

He shook his head. "Of course not. Not at school anyways. But your different, your one of us." Hermione raised an eyebrow. "A kid."

Hermione's lips pursed. "Harry when have I ever acted like a child? I know better and now that I've finally been accepted by the staff I'm not going start allowing the students to call me 'Hermione' when ever they feel like it. Hell, Ginny even calls me Professor Granger. Granted I haven't gained the respect from the Slytherin quite yet but another hundered points and that will be cleared up."

Harry chuckled. "Do you even know what some of the guys are saying about you?"

"Do I really care?" asked Hermione. "The boys will talk. It's what they do, as well as the girls. I don't really care what people are saying about me as long as their work is turned in and they pay the mildest attention in my classes. What ever they say doesn't conceirn me."

"Well, I'll tell you anyways." he exclaimed, taking a seat in front of her. "Their saying that you and Snape hooked up and they've seen him leaving your rooms late at night. Everyone believes they story Malfoy has going around Hogwarts. The one about you sleeping your way into the teaching position." Hermione glared at him. She knew the stories going around about her. "Not that I believe them. I know you couldn't possible have feelings for that over-grown bat, but..."

"But what, Mr. Potter?"

"But...um...nothing Professor. I was just explaining to Hermione..." studdered Harry.

"You will address your professor with respect, Mr. Potter. As I am sure she has made it quite clear of her position here." interrupted Severus, standing in the doorway. "You should never take what you hear as a rumor seriously anyways. It is these that can runin a persons reputation. If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Potter don't you have a class starting soon?" a sneer crossed Severus' lips. He loved to torment this boy. More now that he 'saved' the wizarding world.

"Yes, sir. I'll talk to you later Her-Professor Granger." said Harry through his teeth. Hermione nodded and watched him leave the room. Her attenion brought back to Severus.

"And what brings you to my class, Severus." she asked coyly.

"The same that always does." he hissed. "You have a free class, as do I. And we still havn't disscused the Halloween Ball. Albus reminded me of it this morning at breakfast. Which I'd like to mention you did not attend."

Hermione glared at him. "I wasn't hungry. And besides I was warm in my bed this moring. I didn't want to leave it. Besides, I'm planning on eating lunch later." she crossed her arms across her chest. "What makes you think I didn't have it in my rooms?"

"Because Cady came to me and told me she hadn't heard from you." his sneer grew. "You know I..." he stopped himself.

Hermione sighed, "Can't say it can you?" he nodded. Hermione stood from her chair and walked over to him. "Severus, you know how I feel. I know how you feel. Hell we've almost slept together so many times! What the hell is keeping you from going through with it?" By now she was standing in front of him. Her breath caught.

Severus staired at her. She had a way at making him completely speechless. He cupped her cheek. "I don't know." he finally said.

"Do you love me?" she asked. All he could do was nod. "Then kiss me."

"I can't. Not hear. Someone..." he was silenced by Hermione pulling him down to her and her pressing her lips to his. He didn't fight it, he never fought it. It had become one of their games. It wasn't the doubt that he didn't love her it was more along the fact that he never said it aloud. It was only the need for air that broke their kiss.

"Was that, that hard?" she whispered. A smile crossed his lips. "Now!" she said quickly pulling away from him. "What about this dance. Costume? Yes. And of course the staff should dress up as well. I think we should get a band to come and play for us. I'm sure we can find a good one. Also, we can have a best costume contest for both students and staff. OH! And have games of sort..."

Severus listened to her ramble on and on about things for the ball. Granted they hadn't talked about it, Hermione already knew what they were going to do. He wasn't too big on the idea to begin with. What ever she said would happen. He didn't care. Hermione continued to pase her class room spilling out ideas for the ball. Severus had taken a seat at one of the desk. Hermione suddenly stopped.

She turned to him and asked "What will you dress as?" Severus all but fell out of his chair when she asked this.

"What do you mean 'you dress as?' I don't plan on dressing up at all. What I'm wearing is fine."

"Pfft." she said, throwing her hands in the air. "All the staff is going to be dressing up. The least you can do is join in. I have the costumes down to: Famous Couples real or not, and The thing the person is most scared of. Which do you like?"

Severus raised his eyebrow. "The first one. I don't think I want the students or staff for that matter knowing what it is I'm afraid of."

Hermione giggled. "So I can't go up to Albus and say 'Guess what Severus is afraid of...'" She was stopped by Severus pulling her into his arms and covering her mouth.

"You wouldn't dare." she chuckled again. "Then I'll tell him what scares you."

"Go ahead. Everyone knows I'm afraid of dragons." she smiled. An evil grin played across Severus' lips.

"I wasn't thinking about that one." Hermione's eyes grew real wide. "I see you know what I'm talking about. We wouldn't want Albus to know that little secret now would we?" She shot darts with her eyes at him.

"Fine, Famous Couples it is. Does that mean I get to see you in tights?" she laughed.

"And why would you think that?" he asked.

"Because all the best couples in the past were from back when the men wore tights and powder wigs. I always saw myself as one of Cinderella's ugly step-sisters growing up. Not the whole being mean to someone and making them clean up after me but the ugly part. I want a reason to wear a beautiful ball gown that fell to the floor and have my hair done up and wear a tiara." Hermione spun around the room as if dancing with some make-believe prince. Severus smiled at this, inwerdly of course. Stairing at her she looked like the young woman she was. Full of dreams of love and romance.

"I've never seen you as anything but beautiful. I, myself, have always saw myself as beast myself." Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "At least that is what others say about me. Feel free to tell me I'm not." Hermione twirled over to him and took his arms.

"Your not a beast. Just a misunderstood potions master with a lot of free time to cheer up a lonely girl."

"Well, Hermione would you do this misunderstood potions master the honor of accompanying him to the All Hallow's Eve Ball?"

"I would be honored." she giggled.

The two of the danced around the room to some tune that was playing in their heads. Severus knew if anyone would have walked in they would think them a fool, but he enjoyed having her in his arms. If she wanted to be a princess from the stories then that is how she will be. If she wanted him in tights she would be very disappointed.

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Ok, need your help I'm looking for what our couple should dress as. Tell me what you think and I'll try and use something. All those that want to see our Severus in TIGHTS raise your hands! shoots hand up Anywho R&R so I know if I should keep going.

Raven NightWing