Scroll past if you didn't review, unless you want to read my answers. Oliver/Hermione's date is in this chapter!

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Krissygirl: My type of wandless magic doesn't have to do with power, but simply being born with the gift.

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Intelligent witch: Their conversation on wandless magic is continued in this chapter.

Faerluthio: Ya, I kind of took the portrait idea into my own hands. Sorry to confuse you. I also am glad you liked that Hermione didn't know it was so rare. I liked the fact that Hermione didn't know something!

Okay, you impatient brats, here's your new chapter.

"Mss Granger, this power that you have, this power of wandless magic is not something to be taken lightly by any means. It is dangerous and even some who have it refuse to use it, because in the end, wandless powers can take you and consume you," McGonagall said.

"But they don't feel dangerous professor. They feel natural," Hermione said.

"That's because they are. Wizards cannot just learn to control wandless magic on a whim, no matter how powerful they are. It takes natural-born powers. Most wandless wizards and witches in the past, though there are few, have been purebloods. It is amazingly rare to have a muggle-born wandless witch," McGonagall told her.

"If it's so rare, how could I so easily find a book to learn it?" Hermione asked.

"That book has been around for ages. There's only one book ever written on wandless magic and published. Curious wizards will buy it and get profit for the author even if they cannot and never will have the power of wandless magic," McGonagall said.

"So it has nothing to do with strength?" Hermione asked.

"Well even those with the gift have to be strong to control it, not physically of course, but I've never met on that wasn't, granted I only currently know one. Severus, despite how he may seem is quite strong. He is horrible at Levitation so he has to carry cauldrons about everywhere. He never has complained however, not that he complains often. He likes to keep in shape I think. Since his qudditch days he's been quite fit," McGonagall said.

"So Professor Snape's the wand less wizard you know?" Hermione asked.

"So, he still has you calling him Professor Snape, then, despite courting you?" McGonagall leaned back in her chair smiling.

Hermione flushed bright red, "Er, no, I'm supposed to call him Severus when in his company and not in class, but it's just… it's weird to think of him as anything other than my most respected professor and a major asset to the success of the order," Hermione said.

"I see. It will indeed take some getting used to," McGonagall nodded in agreement. "In answer to your question... he is the wandless wizard I know, but he only performs dark arts and defense against it with his powers. As I said, he's horrible at Levitation. He's also not so great at Charms. I suspect he's an animagus but he won't tell me," McGonagall said.

"What do you think he would be?" Hermione asked.

"A cat?" McGonagall pondered.

"No, that just doesn't seem right," Hermione shook her head. "A black bird?"

"Like a crow or raven? Maybe… I'll have to keep my eye out for crows flying around the school," McGonagall pondered.

"So, dear, we'll have to have you talk to the headmaster after dinner," McGonagall told her. They were silent for a stretched few moments. "Hermione, I want you to know that before being your professor, I am your friend," McGonagall said. "I know you might not like the idea of Severus as a husband, but you should give him a chance. He's a good man, albeit misunderstood but he always does what he feels is right and good," McGonagall said.

"Professor, it is beginning to frustrate me that people think I'll just cast off Snape's petition as a final solution. I respect him more than both Bill and Oliver. I couldn't order the three, anyhow. Bill's like a brother to me as are all the Weasley boys, and everyone is sure that if I marry Oliver we will both be doomed. Prof… Severus isn't such a bad choice at the moment. I'm trying with all I have to be objective. I can see that on paper, Snape is the best choice, from the views of other people, he is the worst, but I have yet to mold my own view to either way. I'm almost certain that if Oliver is Death then Bill is love, but I don't know if I want to risk that…"

"I understand dear, just know that I'll be here if you need me. Also, dear, keep in mind… Severus isn't just the mean professor you've known for years, but he's a man and not entirely unlovable. Send Mr. Wood in please and supervise my class until the end of the period if you could," McGonagall stated.

Hermione turned and left with only a nod, a shocked thought in her mind, something that hadn't even occurred to her before. Could she really learn to love the infamous potions master?" Hermione frowned at the thought, sitting down in one of the empty desks after sending Oliver to McGonagall's office. Hermione's mind was working mile-a-minute. She didn't speak when Harry tried to talk to her. She was too astounded. She had seen him try to be gentle with her and that had touched her deeply, but could she actually consider the rest of her life with him… in love?

By the time the period had ended and Harry excused the class, her head was pounding and she still couldn't answer that question.

Hermione was anxiously awaiting her first date of the weekend, pacing back and forth in the common room like a caged animal, ignoring Draco's sneers as he worked on his potion essay, which she had finished an hour before.

Hermione had only gone out with three boys in her entire life and they had been Ron, Seamus, and Neville, and Draco making fun of her nerves wasn't helping a bit. She hadn't even made it past two dates with any of the three boys she had dated. She hadn't even had a real kiss before.

She had promised herself that she wouldn't kiss any one of the three before she had had a proper date with each of them and she had told this to McGonagall who had in turn threatened the two that if they even tried to make such a move to kiss Hermione, McGonagall would personally transfigure them into a muggle porta-potty.

Oliver's knock at the common room portrait, pulled Hermione out of wondering exactly what McGonagall had told the men, as she hadn't been present during it.

"Hermione!" Oliver called through the door.

Hermione stood and straightened her clothes, a black muggle tank top and black slacks. She also wore a white coat and a white beanie (winter cap you know…). Hermione had even put a bit of eye-make-up on, just some mascara and natural-colored eye-shadow, just barely lighter than her skin. Her hair was some-up some down. She had calmed the frizz with a bit of help from Ginny who was becoming marvelous with fashion things.

Ginny was planning on working at Madame Rolesila's, a prestigious witches salon during the summer, all she needed was a recommendation from Professors Sprout and Snape. She needed Sprouts because she would need to pick ingredients for the glamour potions and Snape's simply because she would be making the potions. Sprout easily complied with the request, but Snape was another matter. She had to turn in a ten foot parchment on glamour potions before he would write her a recommendation. It was quite kind for him, but Ginny still had a right to complain about it.

Hermione smiled at Oliver when she saw him. He was wearing a green jumper and grey slacks. The green of this jumper matched his eyes and if she were any other girl she would have fainted at the sight of him, but Hermione just gave him a polite hello and hugged him.

"Where are we going?" Hermione wanted to ask, but she contained her eagerness.

"You ready?" he asked.

"I think so. Do I need to…" Hermione was cut off

"You say change and I'll have a heart attack, my lovely Hermione. It's not as if we're going anywhere too classy. Oh, no, then we couldn't have as much fun as we're going to!" Oliver said, excitement shining in his eyes. This was beginning to remind her eerily of Ron. She hoped they weren't going to a quidditch match; that would seal the weird feeling in the pit of her stomach. She just smiled at him, concealing her greatest hopes against a quidditch match.

"What do you think about a muggle dinner and movie?" Oliver asked.

"That sounds marvelous!" Hermione said, grateful that the young wizard had thought of her muggle background.

"You'll have to help though, because I have no idea what to do with this," Oliver said, holding out a chunk of the muggle currency.

"Don't worry. A little muggle money can be handled," Hermione smiled.

"Great! It is dinner then movie right?" he asked.

"Either way works, Oliver, but a lot of times yes," Hermione nodded.

"Great! I got hooked into watching muggle picture shows since I graduated! They're addictive!" he said, enthusiastically. He offered his arm, and Hermione looped her own arm through his.

"What are we seeing?" Hermione asked, as they started down the hallway.

"It's called the White Noise. It's supposed to be scary," Oliver said.

"Oh I heard about-"

"Have her back by ten!" Draco's voice interrupted them, coming from portrait Hermione had just left.

"Shove off Malfoy!" Hermione shouted at him. Oliver chuckled, until Snape turned the corner and walked swiftly to catch up with them, a scowl on his lips.

"Wear this, Miss Granger," he told her, sharply. "Nymphadora Tonks will be keeping an eye on you to make sure you're safe as I'm sure you don't want me tagging along," Snape said.

"Tonks? Is she here?"

"No, she will be watching your every movement from Headquarters," Snape said. He hesitated a moment, before snapping and Oliver, "If she gets hurt you're a dead man," before stalking away. Hermione looked at the simple silver ring. It had a black orb on it and if she looked into it closely she could see that it said NT on it.

"It's actually Tonks' ring. I'll feel better knowing she's watching over us," Hermione said.

"You don't trust me to keep you safe?" Oliver asked, looking hurt.

"Oh, no it's not that. I just would rather not have the headmaster watching my date," Hermione said.

Oliver grinned slyly. "You wouldn't happen to have a thing for the old man would you?"

"Ew, Oliver!" she exclaimed hitting his shoulder.

"Just making sure," Oliver smiled.

They got out of Hogwarts quickly and once off the grounds they apperated to the apperation point Oliver had selected.

"Where do you want to eat?" he asked.

Hermione looked up and down the street. There were many restraints on it, not that were fancy, but that were comfortable, but she decided that she wanted to make this choice where Oliver would feel most comfortable so she smiled at him and pointed to the restraint just beside them.

"Hermione, fast food? Most girl's hate first dates being at fast food places!" Oliver said, frowning.

"Now, Oliver, I'm not like most girl's am I? This place looks good enough to grab a bite," Hermione said.

"If you're sure…" Oliver nodded.

They ate their food surprisingly quickly, talking about Harry and Ron, then about Oliver's auror friends, then some more about Harry and Ron. By the time they had left they were on the subject of Hermione's parents.

"So, they fix people's teeth for a living?" Oliver was having trouble gripping the idea. "Why not just… oh ya, muggles," he said, thinking about it for a moment.

"It's just a profession that muggles need Oliver," Hermione giggled. "You don't have to really think much about that."

"Well, all right, how is school going then?" he changed the subject, as they walked down the street towards the movie theater.

"Fine, though I could use a bloody break from potions class," Hermione muttered.

Oliver laughed, "I don't think anyone gets those from Snape, you least of all. What was wrong with him earlier, by the way. I've seen him mad, but since this whole thing started, he's been so… well… nice around you, and now he's got a stick up his ass again. Do you think he's jealous?" Oliver frowned.

"Of what?" Hermione frowned. "He knows I am going out with each of you and you got stuck with Friday.

"I don't know how Snape's mind works, but those were the vibes that I was getting from him," Oliver said.

Hermione sighed, saying, "I wish I understood what went on in his head."

"It might make passing potions easier," Oliver offered, with a smirk.

"I highly doubt that. Dumbledore said that the professor grades me against the standards he had for himself at my age," Hermione explained.

"Ouch, what does he expect you to be a potions mistress?" Oliver laughed.

"Well actually, I'll be studying Potions and Transfigurations at a university," Hermione said, slowly.

"Really?" Oliver asked, intrigued. "Didn't you say it was your worst subject?"

"All the more reason to take it. It will be the most difficult and therefore provide a challenge!" Hermione said, with excitement.

"You truly are an odd-ball, 'Mione," Oliver said. Hermione felt a tick of annoyance and hurt. She knew he had said odd-ball in jest but it hurt her everytime she was faced with the fact that she was different then her peers. She also was annoyed with the name 'Mione. She had never liked people calling her that. Mia or Hermione, but not 'Mione. She just had never liked it.

"Here we go, but I don't know how…" Oliver fumbled with the money just like he had back when they got their food. She smiled at his ignorance for the muggle currency.

She took it from him, looked at the prices and counted out the correct amount. She handed him back the extra money, which he put in his pocket and then the correct amount to pay for the tickets. He thanked her and wrapped an arm around her waist, loosely, leading her to the small line for movie tickets. It was only small, because they came at exactly the right time. As soon as they got in line, the line nearly quadroupled.

"Almost like magic we got this spot in line isn't it?" Hermione asked, looking pointedly at Tonks' ring. Oliver laughed, as they stepped up. Hermione felt slightly uncomfortable with Oliver's hand resting on her hip, but she said nothing. She would probably have to get used to this type of touch, by him or Snape or Bill.

"Hermione, hurry we're going to be late!" Oliver said, in alarm, pulling her along side him into the movie theater, then to the specified theater on the ticket.

Hermione just allowed herself to be pulled alone, noting to herself how much she hated that, something Harry and Ron did often.

She wanted to put the arm rest down between them, but as they sat down, she saw Oliver had no intention of letting her go. They arrived just as the first of the previews ended, and the movie started.

The movie turned out to be extremely terrifying. Hermione couldn't help the little screams that passed her lips when things jumped out. She was scared significantly by the ending and by that time, she had her face buried against Oliver's chest. He jumped in some parts as well and gasped. Every time something happened, he gripped Hermione tighter, as it were real, which, being a wizard it probably was pretty realistic to his eyes.

As they left the movie, Hermione didn't mind the arm around her, as she looked skittishly about. Her wand had gone off in the middle of the movie at one point, but Oliver had quickly stopped the red sparks with his own wand.

Once back at Hogwarts, Hermione and Oliver were greeted by Tonks. "I see the date went well," she said, noting Hermione's skittish look, but the smile on her face.

"I'll take her to her room, Oliver, no worries. The two of us have things to talk about," Tonks said.

Oliver sounded disappointed as he bid Hermione good night and wrapped her in a warm hug, which Hermione returned, but only with half-enthusiasm.

"I'd better get back to my flat. I'll see you soon. Try to enjoy your other dates," he said, bitterly. Hermione nodded.

"So?" Tonks asked, when Oliver had close the door outside behind him.

"It was… a normal date," Hermione shrugged.

"Great, normal date for you usually means the end of a relationship," Tonks sighed. "So, what went wrong?"

"Nothing really, until after dinner. He let me choose where we went. It was quite cute how he was so confused with the muggle money," Hermione added.

"Cute, so it can't be that bad," Tonks said.

"When we got to the movie, he wrapped his arm around my waist and… well I don't know. It just made me feel uncomfortable. He was probably my first choice in the personality department," Hermione sighed.

"Did he wrap his arm around you in like a possessive way or something?" Tonks asked.

"No, it's just... I found I didn't want him to be holding me. I don't know," Hermione sighed, starting to walk towards the Head Common Room, with Tonks at her side. "I feel so terrible. There are hundreds of witches who would die to be in Oliver's arms rather than who they have, but I just… I don't know if Oliver and I… I felt nothing but uncomfortable."

"Not uncomfortable, like I don't know what I'm going to do, but uncomfortable like I don't want to be here?" Tonks asked. Hermione nodded and told the password to the portrait hiding the Head Common Room.

"Well, there's always Bill… and… should I say Snape?" Tonks asked, giggling. Hermione just shrugged.

"I have to get back to headquarters. It's a full moon and Remus asked me to watch him… you know… just in case," Tonks said.

"I understand," Hermione nodded. "Thank you for talking with me Tonks. Any advice?"

"Just experience the three and decide, that's all I can say in this situation," Tonks sighed, hugging Hermione. Hermione returned it, before disappearing into the common room, to find Draco still sitting on the couch. As soon as she entered, he packed up his supplies and went to his room.

Hermione had a sneaking suspicion that Snape had had Draco waiting for her and he was going to tell Snape she was back and in two pieces, though inside, Hermione felt as if her world was shattering into little bits. She didn't know what she would do if she found herself incompatible with both her other suitors.

Tears came to her eyes, and for the first time, she truly felt the whole terror of this entire thing coming down hard upon her. She had been upset before, but this was worse. She was lost and felt alone. She hurried to her room, changed into pajamas and dropped into bed, burying her face in the pillows to quiet her distress. She hoped Draco didn't hear her sobs, but she knew that he could. The damned ferret heard everything. She didn't want him to know she was weak.

She slowly began to be able to stifle the wet sobs and fall into sleep, but sleeping would only bring closer the time when she would make her decision… she knew this, yet she let the darkness take her. The darkness turned into a lovely dream with just she Harry and Ron, when they had been younger, when they had been happier.

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